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On New Year's Day, hundreds of participants gathered at Shepard Park Beach in Lake George for the annual Polar Plunge. Despite temperatures hovering around 15 degrees, the event drew a crowd eager to dive into the icy waters. The plunge, a decades-old tradition, raises funds for organizations like Shriner's Hospital and local fire departments.
According to The Lake George Examiner, 609 people registered for this year's plunge. Participants were cheered on by DJ and emcee Chas Giknis, who played Ozzie Osbourne's "Crazy Train" as the first wave of plungers hit the water at 1 p.m. Many took selfies and high-fived first responders who marked the swimming area's edge.
The event was organized by Duffy's Tavern, with registration costing $10. Participants could also purchase long-sleeve polar plunge T-shirts for $15. As reported by LakeGeorge.com, the plunge occurs in three waves, with 400 people entering the water at a time.
For those who missed the New Year's Day event, there will be more opportunities to participate in polar plunges during the Lake George Winter Carnival, which begins on February 7. The carnival will feature plunges every weekend for five weeks at Shepard Park Beach.