If you have never done one of the polar plunges in Door and Kewaunee counties to kick off the New Year, this may be the year to do it. Sturgeon Bay tied a record for the warmest Christmas Day on record on Monday, preceded by two days above 40 degrees. Temperatures will get a little more seasonal later in the week, but it will still likely be about 10 degrees above normal. Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Plunge founder J.R. Jarosh says outside of heat waves on New Year’s Day in past years, the warmer water temperatures could bring larger numbers for its annual January tradition.

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Plunge, now co-organized by the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club and the Jacksonport Fire Department, will occur at Lakeside Park at noon. The event is free to participate, but proceeds from the event will go to support the Jacksonport Fire Department. For those who cannot make it to Jacksonport, similar events will occur in Sturgeon Bay and Kewaunee.

Photo submitted by the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club from 2023