HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, IN (FOX19) – -
There are many different
traditions that come along with welcoming the New Year, and many people
consider January 1st a fresh start.
Dozens of brave, or crazy,
revelers washed away 2012 with a dip in Hidden Valley Lake.
"Are you excited for 2013?"
asked one enthusiastic dipper.
"I'm very, very excited,"
answered the first time plunger. "I'm soaked."
Soaked and stoked to kick off
2013 with a splash at the annual Hidden Valley Lake Polar Bear Dip.
"It's fresh and new," said
organizer Ashley Howe. "Start off the new year right. Wash away all the old
year and get ready for the new year because it's definitely a doozy getting
started that way."
"I think it's just the start
of something new," added Kasey Goepper, voted the 2013 Grand Poohbahrina. It's
just a chance to start over. So why not start with a nice cold bath?"
For some first timers, a dip in
the lake in the middle of winter is something to check off the bucket list.
But for one couple, the polar
plunge is nothing compared to the plunge they are about to take.
"We thought that it would be
fun since we're getting married January 19 this year that we would have the
wedding party come out and do the plunge with us," laughed bride to be
Kate Viel.
And since they all made it out in
one piece the bride and groom-to-be think that's a good omen for their big day.
"If we can do this, we can
do anything," added Viel.
Hopefully no one in the wedding
party will get sick before the big day.
Organizers say another great
aspect of the polar bear dip is many groups use the event as a fundraiser for
their favorite organizations, and another way to start the year off on the right
foot.
Copyright 2012 WXIX. All rights reserved.
FOX19-WXIX
