From left, spelling “Brrr!” are Janie Montgomery of Rimersburg; Amber Colwell of New Bethlehem; Madison and Tannya Darwin of Clarion; Kathy Bailey of Sigel; and McCoy Teague of Clarion. The crew took park in the annual Parker Polar Plunge in the Allegheny River on Wednesday, the first day of 2020.

PARKER, Armstrong County — Around 300 people, in varying stages of undress, dipped their toes into the water for the first time in 2020.

As temperatures dipped below freezing, the 14th annual Parker Polar Plunge witnessed hundreds of participants, many from Butler County, tread into the frigid Allegheny River from the city's boat ramp to welcome in the new year and help raise funds for charitable organizations.

Mandy Libecco, president of Parker Polar Bear Club, said there were just fewer than 200 registrants for the plunge, but estimated an additional 100 people participated, as plungers did not need to register.

The event helps raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Emlenton and Camo Cares, which takes wounded veterans and children with life-threatening illnesses hunting.

Read more in Thursday's Butler Eagle