Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Holds Annual Meeting
By Steve Allen
Jan 2, 2010 - 11:14:46 PM
A fast-growing annual "festival" of Door County happened again on January 1. That's right, it was the ever-popular Polar "Swim", the annual meeting of the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club. In fact, it's the only meeting this illustrious group ever conducts.
With Joe Jarosh (father of the original and sole plunger a few years back) as Master of Ceremonies, the first day of 2010 saw hundreds of swimmers gather at Lakeside Park, in the heart of the quaint downtown area. This is the quiet side of the Door Peninsula, but this day is anything but tranquil.
A stream of vehicles and a remarkable number of happy people made their way to the icy beach of Lakeside Park, on Lake Michigan, for the annual dunking of skin. The water and air temperatures were about the same at 20 degrees. You couldn't tell who was a Polar Bear and who was an observer until the noon start time got closer and closer.
At 11:59 the distinction became all too clear ... folks of every age, shape, and facial expression began stripping down to the skivvies or a bright colorful swim costume.
At noon the parade to the icy deep began, with the ever-watchful eagle eyes of the men and women of the Jacksonport Fire Department glued on the hearty participants. Thanks also to the Door County Sheriff's department for their assistance with traffic. Without all these folks this event would not be safe and would not happen. Bravo!
Back on shore warming huts and warm clothes or a souvenir Polar Swim white terry cloth bathrobe awaited the club members. Briskly exiting the waters, the crowd cheered.
Another meeting was in the record books!
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