AKRON, Ohio — During the holiday season, a lot of children look forward to going to the mall and sitting on Santa's lap. But in Akron, there's another holiday tradition for the locals. 

What You Need To Know

  • Archie is a giant snowman that has interactive conversations with those who visit him

  • He is located in Lock 3 Park in Akron

  • He is a part of the park's Winterfest 

For more than 40 years, kids of all ages have shared their Christmas wish list with a giant talking snowman named Archie. 

It’s a tradition Rachel McConaha has been enjoying with her mother, Mary, since she was a child. 

Now, McConaha gets to experience the magic of Archie through the eyes of her 7-year-old son, Declan.

“I can remember going up and getting a little candy cane and talking through the microphone,” McConaha said. "I love it. I love that it is like an Akron staple, an Akron tradition that we get to carry on." 

The giant snowman used to be located in the Chapel Hill Mall, but now calls Lock 3 park in Akron home, something that Lock 3 coordinator Chris Griffith is very proud of. 

"The staff looks forward to Lock 3 (Winterfest) every year," Griffith said. "Once it's July, that's when we start talking about what we will be doing for this winter and it is always so exciting." 

To find out when Archie is feeling talkative, you can check out the Lock 3 website. But if talking snowmen aren't your thing, the Lock 3 Winterfest also features a large variety of other winter activities including an ice skating rink that has ice bikes and bumper cars, heated igloos, fire pits and a lot of gorgeous Christmas decorations. ​

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