Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Takes the 23rd Annual Plunge

Photo by John J. Ottow.

Since 1986, the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Ltd. (JPBC) has helped ring in the New Year with their traditional jump into the icy waters of Lake Michigan every January 1 at noon sharp. With the 23rd annual event right around the corner, there are the usual highlights to look forward to, as well as a new twist.

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Plunge swim is held at Lakeside Park in downtown Jacksonport precisely at noon with the crowd favorite 10-second countdown preceding the massive influx of swimmers into the lake. The swim often attracts an estimated 800 swimmers with well over 2,000 spectators there to witness the event.

New to the event this year, the Fire Departments of Door County will be working together to provide an “all you can eat pancake breakfast” for the public at the Jacksonport Town Hall on County V. Pancakes will be cooked and served by the “Great Pancake Show” from 8:30 – 11:30 am. Profits will benefit all participating fire departments.

The 2009 Jacksonport Polar Bear Club shirts are in and are available for holiday gift giving. The shirts will be for sale at the Jacksonport Craft Cottage in downtown Jacksonport, and they will also be available on January 1 at Lakeside Park at the site of the 23rd Annual Polar Bear swim.

A registration table will be set up at Lakeside Park to accommodate all swimmers who must sign a liability release form before participating in the event. Souvenir Polar Bear t-shirts, caps, lapel pins and fleece jackets are offered for sale at the registration tent. Hot beverages will also be available at the registration shelter.

JPBC is a non-profit organization. Funds raised from the event pay the club’s insurance and cost of printed materials. All participants receive a free official JPBC Membership Card and a Certificate of Participation in the annual event. After expenses, funds raised are donated to the Jacksonport Fire Department and Feed My People, a local food pantry.

There is no charge to participate but all participants and onlookers are asked to make a donation or bring one non-perishable food item to donate to the Feed My People van, which will be on location the day of the event.

For more information, visit http://www.doorbell.net/pbc or http://www.Jacksonport.net or call 920.823.2288.