Fans flocking to the frigid northern city of Minneapolis to see the Philadelphia Eagles battle the New England Patriots can buy lots of Super Bowl souvenirs: "We're No. 1" foam fingers, jerseys, hose little plastic helmets, key chains … and genuine Minnesota snowballs packed in see-through Klear Cans from Milacron Holdings Corp.
Minneapolis ad agency space150 has installed a vending machine selling "Real Minnesota Snowballs" in an alley behind the Hewing Hotel. The price: $1 for one snowball.
According to media reports, a portion of the proceeds will go to a local wilderness organization that helps kids explore the great outdoors. Officials at space150 could not be reached for comment.
Each snowball is packaged in one of Milacron's Klear Cans. Milacron spokesman Michael Crawford said the ad agency approached the company about the charitable venture and Milacron supplied them with some cans.
Staffers of space150 came up with idea a few months ago and got to week recently hand-packing and canning the snowballs. Each can is dated, indicating freshness.
Snowballs seem like an appropriate Minneapolis Super Bowl souvenir. Weather forecasters say the temperature will be just 3° F on Super Bowl Sunday. But fans will have to leave their canned snowballs in the trunks of their cars because, fortunately, the game will be played at an indoor stadium.