Many brave cold dip in Parker for New Year tradition
PARKER — Lori Dick looked nervously at the ice floating down the Allegheny River on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 1, 2022, but she was determined not to lose a dare with a friend.
The Parker native had seen the Polar Plunge take place for years on the river, but New Year’s Day 2023 would be her first time taking the plunge, alongside several of her friends who wanted to check another item off their bucket lists.
Despite the promise of a frigid dip Sunday, Dick said it was then or never.
“I had seen this happen but never had the guts to do it until now,” Dick said.
Temperatures were only in the mid-40s around the wooden docks on the Allegheny River in the northeast region of Butler County, but about 100 people were still looking to cool off after their New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The Parker Polar Plunge returned Sunday afternoon after a two-year hiatus. Shelly Kaltenbach, a recruiter for UFP Industries in Parker, which advertises the plunge, said the event is the biggest to take place in the borough all year since it began in 2006.
The event is a tradition around the world, and started in Parker as a fundraiser for local first responder agencies. Kaltenbach said it is always a boon for the community.
“Parker doesn't really have a lot of events,” Kaltenbach said. “This brings business into the community and gets people here.”
Bill Gombes, of the Parker Volunteer Fire Department, stood at the edge of the river in a wet suit prior to the plunge, checking the conditions of the river. He didn’t know the exact temperature of the river Sunday, but said he was in up to his knees earlier in the day and his feet were still shivering.
Still, he said the conditions were good enough for everyone to plunge in safely.
“It’s cold,” Gombes said. “Don’t panic, just stand up and move around. A lot of people have done this every year.”
A literal “boom” from a firework alerted the large crowd gathered on the shoreline at Parker Boat Launch that the clock had struck 2 p.m., and the plunge began. Rows and rows of people, dressed in everything from swim trunks to full bear onesies, rushed into the river, ducking their heads under and splashing their friends who came along.
Sonja Crawford and Bob Crawford have been taking the annual plunge for years, and said that although their bodies never get used to the chilly sensation, it is an exciting way to start every new year.
“You’ve got to live,” Sonja said. “You just feel so invigorated.”
Joan Cornelius, of Emlenton, took her first Polar Plunge on her 50th birthday, and has continued doing it each year for more than 10 years now. She encouraged everyone who is curious about the event to try it for themselves, in part because it “wakes you up.”
“It’s freaking awesome,” Cornelius said. “On my 50th birthday it was on my bucket list and I’ve been doing it ever since. It supports good causes.”
