The Best Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Day in Door County

2016 Polar Plunge in Jacksonport, one of several ways to usher in the New Year the Door County way. Photo by Len Villano.

It’s enough to usher in a New Year with champagne and a kiss at midnight but if you are spending the first day of 2017 in Door County, why not kick it off in a way you only can on the peninsula?

Take the Plunge

Jolt yourself into 2017 with a noontime Jan. 1 dip in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport. An annual tradition, the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club has welcomed hundreds of new members since it began in 1986.

Last year’s swim attracted an estimated 800 swimmers, with a thousand or more bundled up spectators there to witness the event and cheer on the participants.

“It’s simply amazing how the event has grown over the years,” said club founder J.R. Jarosh, who was 14 years old the first year he went in back in 1986. “To see how so many people have embraced the opportunity to battle the elements and celebrate the New Year by going for a dip, it’s great,” he said.

In honor of this tradition that began in the ‘80s, Jarosh invites participants to break out those leg warmers, shoulder pads, hoop earrings and high volume bouffants for this year’s 1980s theme.

Registration opens at 10:30 am in the park shelter closest to the lake. While the event is free, all swimmers are asked to sign a liability release form before participating in the event. Forms will be available at the registration pavilion or swimmers can save time by downloading the form to fill out ahead of time at JacksonportPolarBearClub.com and simply drop it off the day of the event.

The Frostbite Open at The Red Putter in Ephraim. Submitted.

Frostbite Open

Brave the cold and snow for a chance to win cash prizes during The Red Putter Mini Golf’s annual Frostbite Open. The tournament begins at 2 pm, with two rounds of golf played. Register and practice between 10 am and 1:45 pm. Warm up between putts with hot drinks and chili.

This is an open tournament, so anyone can play, there’s no need to qualify. The cost is $25 to enter. A number of prizes will be given out: $700 for first place; $200 for second place; $100 for third place; $100 for best single game; trophies for all who place; and a bumper sticker that says “I survived the Frostbite Open!” for anyone who completes both rounds.

Christine Tierney high kicks her way through Egg Harbor’s Christmas parade. Photo by Len Villano.

New Year’s Day Parade

Another 1980s original is the fantastically goofy New Year’s Day Parade down Main Street in Egg Harbor. Celebrating its 35th birthday, the parade puts on display the costumed characters and area businesses that respond to the annual open invitation to march in the New Year.

The parade steps off at 1 pm. Anyone interested in participating can line up at Stella Maris Parish, 7710 Hwy. 42 in downtown Egg Harbor. The parade runs north through the village from Harbor School Road to County Hwy E. Parking is available on Church Street. There is no formal registration required. Dress up, bring your pets, decorate an old car, motorcycle, or any piece of heavy construction equipment. The sky is the limit!

Ross Abrams, of Milwaukee, feeds chickadees at the Peninsula State Park Nature Center. Photo by Alyssa Skiba.

Take A Hike

Start the year off on the right foot with a First Day Hike at two area state parks: Peninsula and Newport.

At Peninsula State Park, hear updates on Eagle Tower and the Nature Center addition before heading out on a brisk 1-3 mile wellness walk with the park naturalist. Learn about the people who once called the park home: the Dyer sisters, Lettie Doolittle, the boy who watered horses, the beekeeper and the Carlson boys. Warm up from the walk with a hot cup of cocoa inside Weborg Shelter. The hike begins at 10 am. Meet at Weborg Shelter. Don’t forget to stop by the Nature Center on your way to or from the hike to feed the chickadees!

Newport State Park naturalists will guide First Day Hike visitors on an easy two-mile hike on the Upland Trail. Bring snowshoes or hiking boots, depending on the weather, to hike or snowshoe through upland woods, an old root cellar, ancient shoreline and an old field. Pets are welcome. There will be hot cider and hot chocolate after the hike in the interpretive room. Meet at the visitor center parking lot at 10 am.