New Year’s Day, the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club will host their 38th annual Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Michigan at Lakeside Park at 12:00 Noon. Over the years, there have been many varying conditions with this event, from below-zero temps and a thick ice shelf to warmer temps with no snow or ice at all. Event founder and organizer J.R. Jarosh tells us many of the variables this year should line up for an optimal plunge at 12:00 Noon……….

For a few hours, the small community of Jacksonport will be bustling with polar plungers and onlookers for what is its busiest day all winter. J.R.’s Brother Jon Jarosh is also an organizer and participant as this will be his 31st consecutive plunge into the icy waters. Jon shares with us more details………

If you plan on joining the club and jumping in this year, they do ask you to sign a “waiver and release agreement” at the park pavilion, or you can print that up ahead of time through the club’s website. Jon says signing the waiver can even add to the thrill……

For more information, you can go to that club website at “jacksonpolarbearclub.com”. There you will find videos of previous polar plunges, club merchandise, that waiver and release agreement, and some helpful advice for a safe and exhilirating polar plunge.