LEESBURG – Whether it’ll be 50 degrees or 50 degrees below zero, the third annual Polar Bear Plunge at Pie-Eyed Petey’s on Tippecanoe Lake will take place Jan. 21.
According to owners Roy and Barb Hamer, sign-up time will be 10 a.m. to jump time, with plunges beginning at 1 p.m.
The North Webster and Syracuse food pantries both will benefit from this year’s plunge.
“We figure, to help the community, it’s something we can do each year,” said Roy.
“For Christmas, everyone gave and gave and gave. They need to understand people are still out there suffering and hungry. We have fun with this, but we need to understand why we are here – to help the food banks,” Barb said.
In 2010, approximately 80 people took the plunge. There were 117 people jumping in for the 2011 event. During both years, there were hundreds of spectators.
“We’d love to have more than last year,” Barb said. “I hope the weather is better than last year, but it will go on regardless.”
Roy said they will be asking for monetary or non-perishable food item donations at the gate.
There will be prizes for best costume again this year, Barb said, but costumes are not mandatory. She said all plungers should wear old shoes or water socks.
The first 100 people who sign up will receive free t-shirts. A limited number of sweatshirts will be on sale for $35, with part of the proceeds benefitting the food banks.
“Even though they gave a lot this year, they need to come out and give a little more,” Barb said.
For the third annual event, Barb said they sold tables to parties in advance for a large donation to the food banks, so some tables will be reserved.
The Warsaw Dive Team will be on hand for the plunge, as well as the North Webster EMS, Barb said.
Anyone who plans to plunge must be at least 18 years old and sign a waiver.
“Bring a change of clothes. They can change in the Marina again this year,” said Barb. “This is one for the ‘bucket list’.”
Participants can start their day with breakfast at 9:30 a.m., including pancakes and sausage, sausage gravy and biscuits. Barb said there will be special drink prices for the day, and the Tiki Bar will be open. Pie-Eyed Petey’s, 70 EMS T17 Lane, will have some entertainment that night, too.
During the day, Barb said they will be offering only chili and peanut butter sandwiches for $5, and quarter slices of pizza for $5. Due to the large number of people expected to be at this year’s event, Barb said they would prefer cash sales instead of debit or credit card sales to speed up transactions.
The Hamers encouraged people to bring their dogs as they are very pet friendly.
“It’s a good time,” Barb said of the annual Polar Bear Plunge. “Everyone looks forward to it. It’s so much fun.”
