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

By Sue Jarosh

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club 24th Annual Plunge into Lake Michigan in Jacksonport, Door County, WI, is just around the corner.

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club first started in Jacksonport in Door County, WI, 1986 with one swimmer. It wasn't until 1989 that the number tripled from one to three swimmers. The club has seen rapid growth since then and often attracts an estimated 800 swimmers with well over 2000 spectators there 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, WI event is held at Lakeside Park in downtown Jacksonport which is located 11 miles north of Sturgeon Bay on Hwy. 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 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 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 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.

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

The JPBC is a non-profit organization. Funds raised pay the clubs 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 the Feed My People van which will be here. Feed My People will be represented this year by Joy Zakrzewski, Dick Shappell and Rick Kinka. They'll have the big "Feed My People" truck and 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.