"Bozo the Plown” and other new names Chicagoans chose for snowplows this winter

In a lighthearted tradition that has become a fan favorite, Chicago residents have picked six new names for the city’s snowplows in the third annual "You Name a Snowplow" contest. The Department of Streets and Sanitation announced the winning names early Tuesday after thousands of people voted for their favorite submissions.

The names that will grace the snowplows this year are:

Bozo the Plown

Lollaplowlooza

My Kind of Plow

Snower Wacker

Scoop, There It Is!

Bean There, Plowed That

Cole Stallard, Streets and Sanitation commissioner, expressed the department’s enthusiasm about the event, stating, "The contest has become an annual tradition, and each year city staff has a great time tallying up the votes and seeing the winners," according to Block Club Chicago,

The contest began with 50 finalists, chosen from public submissions, and residents were allowed to vote for up to six names. Voting ended on Jan. 21, with the most popular names being selected. The winners, chosen based on the earliest timestamp in case of ties, will receive city merchandise and an opportunity to photograph their snowplows in the coming weeks.

Since its inception in 2022, the naming contest has added a fun and personal touch to Chicago’s winter operations. These newly named vehicles will join over 300 salt spreaders responsible for clearing more than 9,400 lane miles of city streets during winter storms. Residents can follow the plows' progress via the city’s real-time tracker.

Last year winners were:

Skilling It

CTRL-SALT-DELETE

Casimir Plowaski

Ernie Snowbanks

Mies van der Snow

Bad, Bad Leroy Plow

As the city braces for more winter weather, these quirky snowplow names are sure to bring smiles and brighten the cold, snowy season.