Ready To Take The Plunge

Mark Mantagano | Jan 16, 2013

t's that time again. The Polar Bear Plunge will be a key activity at the Central Frontenac Heritage Festival. The event will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, February 17 at the Sharbot Lake Marina. This is the 3rd annual Plunge and we encourage you to join us in the balmy waters of Sharbot Lake to raise funds for three very worthwhile groups: Children's and Youth Programs at the Child Centre (unfunded programs); Sharbot Lake High School Council (Council of students, teachers and parents) and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Richard Struthers has the pumps on and the marina is ready to host the event. Bill Young and the firefighters will once again be in the water to assist, and Emergency Services Personnel will be on hand to ensure our safety.

Trophies will be provided by St. Lawrence College and awarded for the oldest, youngest, best costume and most funds raised. This year's fund raising will feature a number of fund raising challenges with two previous winners squaring off - Mark Montagano "It's a cage match" vs. Art Holloway "The gloves are off". Challenge a friend; challenge a colleague; challenge yourself. It's all in aid of three worthy organizations.

It’s a lot of fun and the costumes just keep getting better. Over 95% of last year's plungers returned from the previous year's event. Last year a number of junior plungers joined us. The youngest plunger was 11, but there’s room for more senior citizen participants - Come on, you’ve always wanted to do it. We need a few more adventuresome souls to step up and take the plunge. Believe me, with all the crowds, the hype and the music - the water actually feels warm.

To receive a brochure and pledge forms, please contact the "Head Polar Bear", Mark Montagano, at 613-279-2886 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Plungers are already working on their costumes and collecting pledges. If you can't take the Plunge, please sponsor a Plunger.

We need a volunteer to do a video of the event. In fact, we want to use the video to entice Rick Mercer to join us in a future Plunge.