Take a Dive Polar Bear Plunge is one of the most popular WinterFest events

BY MOSS BRENNAN

Every year, hundreds of community members are willing to jump headlong, feet first — or even the occasional belly flop — into a lake rimmed with ice and snow. Why do they jump into the freezing water while wearing crazy costumes? Well, for a good cause of course.

Sponsored by The Blowing Rock, the Polar Bear Plunge into Chetola Lake is a highlight at WinterFest. The plunge is on Saturday, Jan. 28 with registration starting at 8 a.m.

Plungers will gather in the indoor pool area at Chetola at 9:45 a.m. for a safety speech and then groups of about 15 people will start with the annual march to Chetola Lake to begin jumping at 10 a.m.

“Growing up in Blowing Rock, our winters were very quiet with very little for the locals and the small number of visitors to do.

Over the past many years, the Blowing Rock chamber has developed events that promote the town and the High Country,” said Charlie Sellers, owner of the The Blowing Rock attraction.

SEE PLUNGE ON PAGE 8