A large crowd gathered around two dunk tanks to watch 29 Polar Bear Dippers plunge into freezing cold water. The event was moved from the lake this year, when it was deemed the ice was not safe enough to hold the event.
People were given three balls for $5 (proceeds to the Hockeyville fund for a new arena). Then if they didn’t hit the target they were allowed to run up and trip the switch, dunking the participants.
Pictured: Chrystal Belanger was helped out of the dunk tank by Fire Chief Cliff Brausen and firefighter Jeff Moulton. She raised the single highest individual total — $4,545, for Ronald McDonald House, a feat she’s completed for several years now.
The Cat in the Hat, Frank Webb, was the oldest dipper in the annual Polar Bear Dip held at Centennial Park during Winterfest activities Saturday afternoon. He raised $380 for Sylvan Lake Library and Corrie Brown raised $500 for the library.
Jodi Hinshaw was one of two dippers who raised $4,636 for the new playground at École Steffie Woima Elementary School. The other was Jennifer Bahler. Their total was the second highest raised for a single charitable group.
A smaller than normal crowd gathered in temperate (for this time of year) temperatures to watch the fireworks display contracted by the town at the end of Winterfest activities on Saturday.
More pictures and information in this week’s paper.