POTTSTOWN >> Beneath sunny skies and brisk temperatures, the seventh annual Polar Bear Plunge went off without a hitch Thursday as hundreds of daring revelers splashed into the Schuylkill River as part of a uniquely Pottstown way to celebrate the coming of a new year.
They exited the river, many rather quickly, to the warm embrace of a raging bonfire and, if they were really adventurous, to bite into a hot pepper or two as part of the celebration’s latest feature – the “Fire and Ice Challenge.”
Wet-suited divers from the Telford and Phoenixville dive rescue units were there to ensure everyone who went into the water came back out. Divers estimated the water temperature to be between 32 and 35 degrees, “depending on how long you were standing in it,” one diver said with a grin.
“I figure if I can get into that water on New Year’s Day, I can do anything in 2015,” said Nicole Rauch who came from Mohnton, Berks County, with Mark Saylor to join Marie Fiorillo of Pottstown in the Schuylkill waters.
Afterward, all three, who wore flamboyant hats in solidarity, declared it an uplifting experience and said they would be back next year.
“It’s an awesome way to start the new year and frankly, the water was not as cold as the air,” said Saylor.
In all, 117 Polar Bears registered to wade into the water, according to the official count.
And for the first time, the plunge included some younger bear cubs as well.
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Lenhart said the right parental permission forms were on hand this year to allow those under 16 to take the plunge provided their parents signed on the dotted line.
Some came from as near as Owen J. Roberts High School, while others traveled greater distances.
Laura Meli came all the way from Buffalo to sign the forms for her daughter, Hannah, and a Swedish exchange student they are hosting, Maggie Huth.
Both are 16 and both said the water was “really cold,” but insisted they would take the plunge again.
Why?”It was refreshing,” they said.
First-time participants Anthony Gazzillo, 17, and Tommy Dunn, 16, showed no signs of apprehension before the plunge. The friends said the conversation about joining the plunge wasn’t a long one.
“He said ‘let’s do it’ and I said, ‘okay, let’s do it,’ and it was finished,” Dunn said.
Another first-timer, Ron Williams of the Pottstown School Board, is old enough to venture in without parental permission.
The 67-year-old said he refused to think about going in the water until the last second.
“The secret is to be in a place where you can’t turn back. I was in the middle of the pack. You can’t chicken out there,” Williams said.
After emerging from the frigid water, Williams said that it wasn’t too bad and that he would “absolutely” do it again, shortly before racing off to the bonfire to get warm and dry.
Robert Soley of Pottstown found Thursday’s events satisfying, not only because he plunged into the Schuylkill and lived to tell the tale, but because he also won the Christmas Tree Toss, a feat of strength and skill which precedes the plunge each year.
It was his third year at the event, and Soley said he likes it because it represents “a fresh start” to the year.
Mayor Sharon Thomas told the crowd that having “endured 2014,” Pottstown should “welcome the New Year and embrace possibilities” and “make this a year when we understand the power of resolution.”
And among those resolutions should be a “resolution to do better. I’m vowing to do better and together, we can make 2015 a year of greater boldness,” Thomas said.
It will also be a year of bicentennial, as Lenhart reminded the crowd.
To help mark the occasion, a series of events are planned, including an all-out push to raise enough funds to return fireworks to the borough’s Fourth of July celebration.
So four of the six area high school homecoming queens who are competing for the title of Fourth of July Queen were on hand to raise awareness, money and – after they dipped their toes into the water – temperatures.
All four – Rebecca Nitka of Daniel Boone High School, Wendy Ni of Pottsgrove High School, Samantha Garritan of Owen J. Roberts High School and Eliana Arroyo-Dech of Pottstown High School – declared the water cold – too cold for them to consider taking a dip.
Pottstown resident Keith Minus also skipped jumping into the river, but he said he comes every year because “it’s important to attend things that bring us together as a community.”
“Things like this bring the community together, brings the outsiders in and provide a good opportunity for us to congregate and reflect together on 2014,” Minus said.
Among those reflections, said Lenhart, is taking time to honor the memory of Eileen Schlegel, the former parks and recreation director who died unexpectedly last year just before the Polar Bear Plunge was to be held.
“It was difficult for us, without the leadership, but the staff came together and we pulled it off and this year we were able to do it again. Now to get ready for next year,” he said.
21st Century Media Staff Writer Kaitlyn Foti contributed to this report.
