Polar Bear Plunge draws more than 1,000 to Brackett’s Landing
Posted: January 1, 2016 1895
The air temperature was barely above freezing when the plunge began.That water is cold.
A record crowd estimated at more than 1,000 joined members of the Edmonds Uplift Society for the ninth annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge at Brackett’s Landing Park. Despite the sun, temperatures that had dropped into the 20s overnight barely rose above freezing in time for the event.
Founding Uplift Society member Steve Douglas prepares for the plunge in the traditional manner at the pre-event warm-up at Daphne’s Pub.
Gathering at Daphne’s Pub for the traditional pre-event warm-up, Uplift Society members got things off to a festive start, hoisting 16-ounce cans of Rainier beer — signature beverage of the Uplift Society — and singing “God Bless America.”
Daphne’s owners and Uplift Society founders Louise Favier and Brian Taylor couldn’t be in Edmonds today, but kept the tradition alive by joining the Polar Plungers at New York’s Coney Island, along with their children Jack and Kate.The original Edmonds Uplift Society, a prohibition-era drinking club, is shown here in what appears to be the basement of the Beeson Building (corner of Fourth and Main) in a photo dated 1932. Most likely disbanded with the end of Prohibition in 1933, the Uplift Society was resurrected ten years ago by Daphne’s owners Louise Favier and Brian Taylor. (Photo courtesy Edmonds Historical Museum)Edith Farrar, traditional Polar Plunge Beach Master, prepares to lead the group with baton and majorette cap. A woman of many talents, Farrar is also the children’s librarian at the Edmonds Library and drum majorette for the Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band.
Named for the original Edmonds prohibition-era drinking club, the Uplift Society was reorganized 10 years ago by Daphne’s owners Brian Taylor and Louise Favier, who also inaugurated the annual Polar Bear Plunge as the club’s signature event. Each New Year’s Day, members don their traditional club regalia, white terry cloth robes with embroidered dates showing each year they’ve taken the plunge, and march down Main Street to Brackett’s Landing where, on the count of three, they dive into Puget Sound.
Despite having moved to New York City, Brian and Louise have maintained the tradition. This year as the festivities were getting underway at Daphne’s, an email arrived showing the couple and their two children taking the plunge at Coney Island beach.
— Story and photos by Larry Vogel
And they’re off! Marching and singing down Main Street, led by Kristie Fritz and Robert Boreson with styrofoam noodle batons!Santa is soaked but smiling.Robert Rhonemus gets the prize for most patriotic swim suit.
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