West Michigan Dad Makes Sure Kids Get A White Christmas

WALKER, Mich.– While most people want a white Christmas, depending on where you live in West Michigan, that may not happen. But, one father is making sure his kids will have snow on Christmas for sure.

There are two types of Michiganders: those who don’t like the snow, and those like Mark Hughes. 

“It’s Michigan. We have to have snow,” Hughes said.

For the past four years, Hughes has created a winter wonderland for his family when mother nature wouldn’t cooperate.

But it’s a skill he had to perfect.

“My first time, I took a power washer out and shot it in the air and it doesn’t work,” Hughes remembered. “You can’t just spray water into the air. You need something to bond with it.”

With the help of study guides and a kit, Hughes built a snow machine.

“Everything I used I bought at Home Depot so it’s easy enough. I prob have $300- $400 into making it myself.”

As long as it stays at or below 27 degrees, Hughes can make about two inches of snow an hour.  It takes a little more than a gallon of water per minute to make two inches of snow an hour.

“It will probably double my water bill for the month but on a quarterly basis, it’s not terrible,” Hughes explained. “Add $150-200.”

But to make his twin  son and daughter happy, it’s well worth it. As you can imagine, the snow is a hit with the neighborhood kids, since the bus stop is right outside the Hughes’ home.