POCOPSON >> Hundreds of people are expected to take a dip in icy waters on Feb. 11 for the ninth annual Polar Plunge at the Brandywine Picnic Park, just outside of West Chester.
“Considering we don’t’ have the Philadelphia Eagles or the Pittsburgh Steelers to cheer for, there’s not reason not to come out to the Polar Plunge,” said Jim Jordan, executive director of the Brandywine Red Clay alliance.
The plunge also attracts hundreds of spectators. Those brave enough to go into the frigid Brandywine River can take comfort knowing that Fame Water Rescue team will be in the water, and Longwood ambulance will be on the property.
The Polar Plunge will also feature a costume contest with a prize being awarded to the person or group voted as the best. There are other prizes as well, and the famous Plunger Award will be given to the individual who raises the most funds.
Emcee for the event will be John Sanville, superintendent of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. In past years, Sanville has taken the plunge. Local music icon Del Bittle will spin the tunes, and there will be a large bonfire nearby.
Participants collect at least $35 in donations ($25 for students) from friends and family in exchange for braving the chilly Brandywine Creek in the middle of winter. The first 200 participants to register are guaranteed an official 2017 long sleeve t-shirt to commemorate the event. Team participation is encouraged. Prizes are awarded to: top individual fundraiser, largest group, group raising the most funds, best costume and new awards this year to recognize community service clubs.
“Even if people don’t want to plunge into the Brandywine, we hope they will get involved by supporting somebody who is plunging,” Jordan said.
Jordan said in all the years the plunge has taken place, there has never been an injury. He said one year, a man with arthritis needed help getting out of the water.
In the past two years, the plunge has taken place on the shorter, narrower branch because of strong current. Jordan said the call on which branch of the river that will be used will be made the morning of the event.
There will be free hot chocolate, hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments to those who attend. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with the plunge taking place at 11:30 a.m. Event information and registration is available at www.brandywineredclay.org.
Since 2008, nearly 1,200 people have taken the plunge to raise over $107,700 to protect and conserve the region’s natural resources. The Polar Plunge is one of BRC’s major fundraisers to offset the cost of our environmental education programs reaching nearly 12,000 school students per year.
The Polar Plunge is presented by Flyway Excavating, Inc.
The Brandywine Red Clay Alliance undertakes improvements in local watersheds, turns red streams blue, and educates school children in local school districts.
