VENTNOR – The city is changing it up a bit this year. In an effort to create a February holiday weekend event, Ventnor’s polar bear plunge will not be held on New Year’s Day this year.
According to Christina Rubenstein, owner of Sea La Vie Children’s Boutique, the Ventnor Business Association, Ventnor Police Benevolent Association and Ventnor Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association are taking over the Ventnor plunge, which was first started in the year 2000 by AAAA Bike Shop owner Mike Weisen, who passed on organizing the event this year.
The Presidential Polar Plunge will include activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16.
“We chose to do it on President’s Day weekend as a way to get folks back into town to celebrate the President’s Day holiday and be able to participate in a community event while they are here,” Rubenstein said.
Some former revelers expressed disappointment on Facebook that the New Year’s Day tradition would be changed, yet others said the water might be be unbearably cold in February.
As far as the weather goes, “You never know what it’s going to be like,” Rubenstein said. “Last year, it was so cold we had to cancel it, and in the year or so before, it was very warm and the beach was really crowded. You can’t depend on the weather forecast anymore.”
Both the Ventnor and Margate plunges were cancelled last year because temperatures ranged between 13-21 degrees.
One thing is for sure, the water will be colder that it is now, which will likely make for a shorter romp in the ocean.
To beef up on energy, the city’s first responders will host a pancake breakfast at St. James Hall starting at 9 a.m.
The Presidential Plunge will take place at the Newport Avenue beach at 11:15 a.m., and to warm up afterward, everyone is invited back to St. James Hall for a Chili Cookoff from noon to 2 p.m. Vagabond Kitchen and Tap House and Ducktown Tavern will be participating and LiteRock 96.9 will broadcast live from the hall.
Rubenstein said registration and cookoff entry information will be posted on the Ventnor Business Association Facebook page shortly after the New Year.
Visit vbanj.com for more.
