Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Plans Annual Icy Dip

Participants in the 2016 Jacksonport Polar Bear Plunge. Photo by Len Villano.

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club will take its 34th annual plunge into Lake Michigan on Jan. 1, 12 pm.

For the past 33 years, the club has celebrated the new year by going for an icy dip in the lake at Jacksonport’s Lakeside Park. More than 500 swimmers are expected to take the plunge, which makes this polar bear swim among the nation’s largest.

Festivities will begin around 10:30 am. Registration to participate in this free event will take place in the park shelter closest to the lake; all swimmers are asked to sign a liability-release form before participating. Forms will be available at the event, or save time by downloading the form at JacksonportPolarBearClub.com.

Loud Entertainment DJ Service will provide music on the beach, and attendees should listen for announcements prior to and during the plunge. Participants and spectators are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items to Feed My People.

Read more details and tips for swimmers at JacksonportPolarBearClub.com, and look for pre-plunge updates on the group’s official Facebook page.