What a way to end the year!
Dozens of people of all ages plunged into the frigid waters of Unicoi Lake Saturday in White County. They walked away with bragging rights and a commemorative patch from the Winter Bear Plunge.
Video posted to the Unicoi State Park Facebook page captures the moment the ‘plungers’ ran shrieking and gasping into the 45 degree water. Family, friends and curious onlookers cheered them on from the relative warmth of the beach.
Most of the plungers ran into the lake and quickly retreated. A few swam and lingered. A bonfire on the beach, hot coffee and cocoa helped them thaw out after taking the plunge.
The annual event is a fundraiser for Friends of Unicoi which helps to promote and support Unicoi State Park near Helen. To learn more about Friends of Unicoi, click here.
