Inflatable snowmen welcomed in Beaver County's Chippewa as gifts from secret Santas

Some Beaver County residents are receiving uninvited guests at their homes this holiday season — and they’re loving it.

More than 40 giant inflatable snowmen have popped up on the front lawns of unsuspecting residents in the Highland Meadows subdivision in Chippewa.

“Everyone is loving it because it brings a smile to your face,” said longtime resident Cindy Turconi.

Turconi and her husband, Jim, were the first homeowners to receive a holiday gift of an 18-foot snowman.

“I don’t know who’s doing this, but it may be a businessman who wants to spread some Christmas cheer,” Jim Turconi said.

Locals are buzzing over the continuing snowman saga, which began after Thanksgiving and continues along Meadow Drive and beyond.

Adding to the mystery is how each snowman is delivered.

“A white van pulls up, and teenagers dressed up like elves and reindeer jump out and install a snowman,” Cindy Turconi said. “At first, my son saw the white van going by slowly and he thought it was suspicious.”

The white van has been spotted blaring holiday music and is outfitted with flashing lights.

Locals say they may recognize some of the teens, but no one is ’fessing up to who’s behind the charitable holiday outreach.

“Everyone is going nuts,” said another snowman recipient, Donna Schaefer, 52. “With everyone isolated and sick, or having a hard time, what a nice time to bring cheer.”

Schaefer said when she peers out her kitchen window, she’s met with a stare from her new giant snowman.

“It’s been almost magical,” Schaefer said. “I think it’s someone who lives here, but it’s a mystery.”

Schaefer said she watched her snowman get delivered from an upstairs window.

“I shouted out ‘thank you’ to them, and they said ‘Merry Christmas,’” Schaefer said.

Word of the snowman invasion has spread, and residents said the nightly lineup of curious snowman-seekers in cars has traffic backed up.

There’s even a Facebook page devoted to the snowman scene — Highland Meadows Snowmen.

“There’s lines of traffic every night,” Schaefer said. “This is like ‘Christmas with the Kranks.’ The kids are going berserk over this.”

Resident Abby Schaefer, 20, arrived home from college to snowman mania.

“I love it,” she said. “This has been so fun and exciting for everyone, especially the little ones in the neighborhood.”

Jim Turconi said there are so many cars arriving nightly to see the snowmen, he is hopeful people may catch the pay-it-forward spirit.

“I think it would be nice if people coming to see the snowmen would donate to the Pittsburgh Food Bank or somewhere,” he said.