You may also stop at Jacksonport Craft Cottage Gifts to place your order. All paid orders can be picked up the week prior to the swim at the Jacksonport Craft Cottage. Shirts will be available at the swim on a first come basis.

Polar Bears are starting to gather in Jacksonport at Lakeside Park!

By Sue Jarosh

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club 26th Annual Plunge into Lake Michigan in Jacksonport, Door County, Wisconsin, is just around the corner.

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club first started in Jacksonport in Door County, Wisconsin, in 1986 with one swimmer. It wasn't until 1989 that the number tripled to three swimmers. The club has seen rapid growth since then and often attracts an estimated 800 swimmers with well over 2000 spectators to witness the event.

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club, Ltd. brings in the new year with their traditional jump into the icy waters of Lake Michigan every January 1 at 12 noon sharp. The very popular annual Door County event is held at Lakeside Park in downtown Jacksonport, located 11 miles north of Sturgeon Bay on Highway 57, along Door County's eastern shore.

A Pancake Breakfast will again be part of the festivities this year. The Fire Departments of Door County will be working together to provide an "all you can eat pancake breakfast" for the public at the Jacksonport Town Hall. Pancakes will be cooked and served by the "Great Pancake Show" from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cost per plate is Adults, $8.00 and Children, $6.00. Profits will benefit all participating fire departments.

Other Jacksonport businesses that will be open on New Year's Day, January 1: Mike's Port Pub, JJ's of Jacksonport and the Jacksonport Craft Cottage.

A registration table will be set up at Lakeside Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. to accommodate all swimmers who must sign a liability release form (waiver) before participating in the event. Souvenir Polar Bear t-shirts, caps, lapel pins and fleece jackets are offered for sale at the registration tent. Fred the clown will be there to welcome the crowd.

A variety of Jacksonport Polar Bear Club merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, pins and other items will be available for purchase at the registration pavilion, along with hot beverages and other concessions. Free Jacksonport Polar Bear certificates of achievement will also be available to all swimmers when they register.

"We hope to celebrate the club's 26th anniversary swim with as many people as possible, and would love to hit that 1,000 swimmer mark," J.R. Jarosh continued. "And we just might. But regardless of how many swimmers join us, we're going to have a great time, and hopefully we'll all be able to do this for another 26 years," he said enthusiastically.

Door County Custom Meats & Venison Processing, owned and operated by Keith and Jaci Birnschein, will be serving hot apple cider and hot chocolate and chili near the registration shelter.

The JPBC is a non-profit organization. Funds raised pay the club’s insurance and cost of printed materials. All participants receive a free official JPBC Membership Card and a Certificate of Participation in the annual event. After expenses, funds raised are donated to the Jacksonport Fire Department and Feed My People, a local food pantry. There is no charge to participate but all participants and onlookers are asked to make a donation or bring some non-perishable food items to donate to the Feed My People van which will be here. Feed My People will be represented this year by Dick Shappell and Rich Kinka. They are hoping for many donations to help fill their cupboards after the holidays.

The swim is held precisely at 12 noon, with the crowd favorite 10 second countdown preceding the massive influx of swimmers into the lake. For more information, contact the club website at www.doorbell.net/pbc, the Jacksonport website or phone 920-823-2288.