The Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce’s 1st Annual Polar Plunge will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019, and is open to anyone ages 18 and over to participate in. It’s part of the weekend-long Banner Elk Small Town Christmas festival and is a fundraiser with registration proceeds and other donations supporting the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department.

The public Polar Plunge will take place in conjunction with the Town of Banner Elk’s Police Polar Plunge; we’ll send Banner Elk’s finest into the chilly waters if the fundraising goal of $5000 is met by plunge time. Donate at this link: https://polarplunge.funraise.org/. This separate fundraiser will support the Wildcat Lake and is coordinated through the Grandfather Home for Children and the Edgar Tufts Memorial Association.

The Polar Plunge event is 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Wildcat Lake located on Hickory Nut Gap Road just past the Grandfather Home for Children. Registration and check-in for pre-registrants are from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The public Polar Plunge starts at 2:00 p.m. followed by Town of Banner Elk Police Plunge if the fundraising goal of $5000 is met.

Hot chocolate and entertainment from Welter Entertainment provided. Bring your own towel and warm gear. Costumes are optional and encouraged!

Registrants must be 18 or over. The registration fee is $25, and the college student fee is $15 with valid college ID. Pre-registration before the day of the event guarantees an event T-shirt. Register in person at Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce or register online at bannerelk.org.

Whether you are taking the plunge or not, come on out and support this great event for an even greater cause!