Polar Plunge sees ‘great comeback’
About 225 people kicked off the new year by participating in the Parker Polar Plunge Sunday, Jan. 1.
While that number of people willing to jump in an icy river may seem unusually large, it’s actually below average for the event, which had been an annual ceremony in Parker since 2006.
The Polar Plunge did not take place officially in 2021 or 2022, so Mandy Libecco, president of Parker Polar Plunge, said this year’s event was a “great comeback,” even though the average participation is around 300 people.
“2011 was our biggest year with more than 500,” Libecco said.
While attendance was a little lower than usual, everyone who registered paid $10 to participate in the plunge Sunday afternoon. According to Libecco, the event raised more than $5,000 this year, which will be donated to local first responder agencies like Parker Volunteer Fire Department and Emlenton Fire Department.
Libecco said Tuesday that several dozen community businesses and organizations sponsor the event each year, which helps make it successful.
She also said she is optimistic for the future of the Polar Plunge, with plans to help bring even more people to the small community of Parker.
“Next year we are planning to go even bigger and have street vendors come,” Libecco said.
