Polar Plunge Returns To 2023 Winter Wonderland in Syracuse
Team Kelly was one of six teams and 11 individuals who plunged into Lake Wawasee as part of Syracuse’s Winter Wonderland Polar Plunge event at Oakwood Resort, Saturday, Jan. 28. The event raised $1,901 for Turkey Creek Fire Territory. Team Kelly members were Erin Parker, Cindy Price, Brandy Pratt, Alexis Adams, Cathy Hoover, Krysta Adams, Kelly Hart and Melissa Fleming.
Text and Photos by David Hazledine
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — The town of Syracuse celebrated the season Saturday, Jan. 28, with “Winter Wonderland,” several events taking place in various locations, including ice sculptures and a free movie on Main Street, a winter hike at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands; and Oakwood Resort’s Polar Plunge on Lake Wawasee.
Ice sculptor Howard Busfield of South Bend praised what he called a “nice day” due to the clouds and lack of wind. Sunshine, he explained, is worse for ice sculptures than warmer temperatures.
This year marked the first Polar Plunge since 2019 after it was cancelled due to COVID-19. A large crowd was on hand to watch 11 individuals followed by six teams run headlong into Lake Wawasee in sub-freezing temperatures, some wearing themed costumes. The event raised $901, which was matched and rounded up by Oakwood Resort, for a total of $1,901 to be donated to Turkey Creek Fire Territory.
Polar Plunge winners were Rick Kiessling, wearing Team USA attire in the individual round, and a team representing Huntington Street Bar, who did their plunge wearing 1970s-inspired wigs and clothes. Members were Travis Luke, Dave Hoeflinger, Jason Miller and Colin Mikel.
“It’s been several years, so it’s really good to see such a good turn out,” said Oakwood General Manager Alyssa Trout. After the plunge, participants and others enjoyed music and festivities at the Oakwood Resort restaurant, where the musical duo Loose Folkers provided live entertainment.
Kiessling, a North Webster resident who had never participated in the Plunge called the experience “exhilarating and a lot of fun.” He chose to take part both because it was a good cause and “just to do it. … Life’s not a dress rehearsal.”
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- Rick Kiessling of North Webster won the individual portion of Oakwood Resort’s Polar Plunge.
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- Huntington Street Bar’s team was the winner of Oakwood Resort’s Polar Plunge for their 1970s theme, which included a leisurely strut to the frigid waters. Pictured are Jason Miller, Colin Mikel, Travis Luke and Dave Hoeflinger.
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- Luke Strieby donned a demonic-looking mask for his Polar Plunge at Oakwood Resort, Jan. 28.
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- The “Chicken Outers,” team including Jack Shoemaker, Judson Cripe and Andy Cripe did not live up to their name at Oakwood Resort’s Polar Plunge on Saturday, Jan. 28.
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- Lauren Horn did not appear concerned by the sub freezing temperatures on Lake Wawasee when she took the Polar Plunge at Oakwood Resort, Saturday, Jan. 28.
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- The Huntington Street Bar team redistributes wigs lost during their first-place-winning Polar Plunge at Oakwood Resort on Saturday, Jan. 28.
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- Mike Evans of Edwardsburg, Mich., was one of two ice sculptors carving five sculptures on Main Street in Syracuse as part of the Winter Wonderland festivities. This sculpture was sponsored by Bowen Health Clinic.
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- Following Oakwood Resort’s Polar Plunge, Loose Folkers entertained the crowd in the restaurant.
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- Team Griswold, composed of Joe Allardt, JR Allardt, Jack Holmes, Jan Allardt and Megan Holmes take the Polar Plunge at Oakwood Resort, Saturday, Jan. 28.
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- The Golf Pros of Maxwelton Polar Plunge team was composed of Mackenzie Taylor, Heath Taylor, Kyle Miller, Leah Miller, Josh Rollins and Brandy Brady.
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- The Busch Latte team of Wade Snyder and Ryan Smith performed snow angels for the crowd at Oakwood Resort before they made their made their Polar Plunge into Lake Wawasee on Saturday, Jan. 28.
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- The Polar Plunge team, “I Want to Go Home,” of Maranda Blackburn, Desirae Thorn and Clayton Fox faced their fears together.
