Postponed Polar Plunge raises $5,000+ in cold, hard cash

Feb 25, 2016

On February 21, 20 lucky plungers were treated to balmier weather as they took to the lake at the Frontenac Heritage Festival's sixth annual Polar Bear Plunge. The event was originally scheduled for February 14, but was postponed due to brutally low temperatures. The delay paid off for the plungers, as the weather was much improved on Feb. 21.

The plunge was headed up by Art Holloway, who also raised the most money this year ($600). As always, it was a highly entertaining event for the sizable crowd of spectators, who also appreciated the nicer weather.

Town Crier Paddy O'Connor emceed the event and introduced the 20 brave souls, who ranged in age from 15-year-old Amber White of Perth to 64-year-old Vera Fanning of Sharbot Lake. The spirited plungers, each sporting colorful costumes, leapt from the wind-swept docks of the Sharbot Lake Marina into the icy depths of Sharbot Lake's west basin.

This year’s best-costumed plungers went to the Scottish stylings of Andrea and Martha MacLeod and Gerald Daviau. Other highlights of the day included Anne Howes' hesitant and hilarious leap of faith and Shane Steeves’ graceful back flip, which was well deserving of a perfect 10 score.

Altogether, over $5000 was raised on Sunday and the proceeds will support the Central Frontenac Fire Department, GREC's student council, the Child Care Centre in Sharbot Lake and the Alzheimer's Society. Congratulations to all the plungers and to those who generously supported the event.