Fairport Harbor Arts and Culture Alliance held its first ‘Port Plunge Jan. 1 at Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park at 301 Huntington Beach Drive. The plunge ended up having participants take part on gray and windy New Year’s Day. Although snow was absent, water temperatures were around 40 degrees, with strong winds making those yet to enter the water a little nervous for what was yet to come.
Janeen and her husband Kevin Sweeney saw the event on Facebook and decided to take on the new year with a new challenge. First timers to cold water events, they were ready to get in the water but were not looking forward to getting out of it.
“It’s something totally out of our comfort zone,” Kevin Sweeney said. “We thought, new year, new beginnings, and that’s kind of all tied together and that’s why were here. Something new to do that we’ve never done before.”
“I’m very nervous,” Janeen Sweeney said. “But we have our strategy for when we get out, get into the car, turn on the heated seats and get home as fast as we can.”
Sean Powers was waiting in line wearing a Winnie the Poo onesie with a Rick and Morty robe underneath. He says he was wearing the outfit because he purchased the onesie for Halloween and wanted a reason to wear it again, although he will be taking the outfit off first, he said he’s glad to have brought something warm for the aftermath of the plunge.
“I’m new to the town and this is the first time I’ve been able to do it and it’s for a good cause,” Powers said. “I wanted to start the new year off with a challenge and I don’t think there’s much better way than jumping in freezing cold water.”
“I’ve jumped in cold water before but never a lake in January,” Powers added. “So, it’s going to be new for me. I got this outfit for Halloween, today seems like a perfect day for it.”
Lee Negrelli, board member for arts and cultural alliance, says she is happy with the turnout. She said it looked as if they would be able to pay for the safety services present and also pay for some of the costs of future events., in total the event ended up raising over $2,000.
“This is a way bigger turnout than what we expected,” Negrelli said. “We were hoping to even break even with paying the EMTs and all that, but we are turning a profit. It’s amazing.
“We are using the event as a fundraiser for the other events that we do. We have a Winterfest and also a summer concert series live at the lighthouse, but the money will be used to go for the bands and activities and all the other things that make our events super awesome. We have to pay for a photo booth, alcohol, permits, but it will be used. Most of it going to local businesses.” Negrelli added.
Those taking part in the plunge were lined up at Lake Erie’s shore in five groups. At staggered times calls from a loudspeaker let people know when to start running into the cold water. Some immediately ran back to shore seeking the comfort of blankets and hot coco, while others swam out to where two members of Fairport Harbors Fire Department were standing chest high in water.
Powers, who removed his Winnie the Poo outfit revealing swimming trunks. Says that he was happy he took part in the experience and that he made it almost as far as the lifeguards, but not quite.
“I feel more refreshed and ready to take on the year and I want to do it again next year,” Powers said. “But man, as soon as that water hits you are like ‘why am I doing this?’ You can’t wait to get back out.
“I went under — you have to do that if you’re going in the water, you know? But I went to just about as far as the lifeguards are at. I was a few feet away and there was a wave coming and I said, ‘that’s good enough!’ ”
For those that did not want to get in the water, but still want a taste of winter, Fairport Harbor Arts and Culture Alliance will be hosting Winterfest at Veterans Memorial Park on Jan. 27. According to its website three live bands will be playing along with winter crafts, a warming area, food trucks, along with beer and cocktails. More information about future events can be found at www.fhaca.org
