EASTHAMPTON — As part of the annual WinterFest event and fundraiser for Nashawannuck Pond, the Easthampton Fire Department will host its Polar Plunge for a second straight year on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 3-4 p.m., and are looking for any and all interested residents to stop by for the chilling fun.
Easthampton Fire Department Chief Christopher Norris told Reminder Publishing that coordinators of WinterFest reached out to the department last year looking for avenues of collaboration for the jam-packed day of events in the city and the Polar Plunge quickly rose to the top of ideas.
“The Polar Plunge allows us to interact with the public, collaborate with the WinterFest community and also kind of showcase some of the equipment and resources and skills we have in the event of a water or ice rescue,” said Norris.
Polar Plunge events have grown in popularity over the years across the country as community fundraising efforts for different causes.
Norris said in its initial year, they did not collect any money. This year, they are suggesting a $5 donation per participant with the money raised going directly to the fundraising efforts of Nashawannuck Pond.
“I think having any raised money going toward the Nashawannuck Pond Committee is important. They have different initiatives right now to continue to maintain and upkeep the areas around the pond and the pond itself,” Norris said. “Nashawannuck Pond is kind of a centerpiece of the community and if this is a small way that the Fire Department can give back to the community, we’re happy to do that.”
There is no formal online registration for the event. Interested participants will be able to sign up and sign a waiver form for the event the day of at WinterFest.
Last year, the Polar Plunge saw over 100 participants and they hope this year’s turnout sets a new high. Norris added the event takes place at the pond close to where the WinterFest bonfire is set. They will also have fire staff guiding participants in the water ensuring their safety, as well as a heating tent as safety precautions for participants.
“The Easthampton Community Emergency Response Team, they’re going to have a warming tent right there so after people come out of the Polar Plunge they can go in this warm tent and go through some rehab. We’re hoping we increase the numbers and participation we had for last year and raise some good money to go towards upkeep and maintenance of Nashawannuck Pond,” Norris said.
While he did not take a dip in the water last year himself, Norris said fellow firefighters did much to the amusement of those in attendance.
“They said it was a chilling experience,” Norris joked. “They enjoyed it and it was a good time. I think one of the unique things about this is last year we saw a lot of people doing it in tandem with friends and coworkers and things like that, so I think it was a great event to build camaraderie between different partnerships, different people and businesses. So, it was a nice community event last year and I encourage everyone to come down and check it out, and more than anything have fun and donate to a great cause.
