The Plunge Continues Early Thaw, Other Concerns Cancel Many Carnival Events But Hardy Few Keep Icy Dip Tradition Alive

A group of wet, shivering residents saved a sevenyear tradition from dying Saturday with a leap into Lake Pend Oreille.

“Wahoo! Oh, that was wonderful,” howled Ed Brown as he toweled off.

The annual polar bear plunge was officially canceled by Winter Carnival officials earlier this month. No one would sponsor or provide liability insurance for the popular, body-numbing event.

That didn’t stop Brown, 19 other plungers and about 100 spectators from showing up at City Beach anyway.

“It upset me that they weren’t going to have it so I decided to just come out and do it myself,” said 62-year-old Milt Kurtz. “I figured people would show up, but it really surprised me there were this many.”

The loyal swimmers provided one of the few bright spots for this year’s carnival. The annual Christmas tree bonfire was canceled because environmental officials said the smoke polluted the air.

Warm weather also melted away an ice skating party and the popular snow sculpture contest.

The sculptures are usually constructed downtown. Due to lack of snow, the event was moved to Schweitzer Mountain Resort, where only five people signed up.

“We may have to do some revamping of the carnival next year,” said Carol Novak, who helps organize the carnival for the Chamber of Commerce. “We are disappointed some of the outdoor activities don’t seem to be coming together. We may have to think of a way of not being so weather dependent.”

Winter Carnival seems to be cursed, always bringing a mid-January thaw with it, she said.

“We get calls from builders every year wanting to know when Winter Carnival is so they can schedule that week to pour (concrete) footings,” Novak laughed.

The carnival was even moved back a week this year to try to ensure a snowy success. It didn’t work.

“This thaw has been very long and unusual,” she said.

Still, Novak said the carnival has not lost its luster.

Other events have drawn a record number of entries and Schweitzer’s having some of the best skiing in five years.

“There always has been good community support for the carnival,” she said. “And, it’s important to have something fun this time of year to get people out and get them out of their ruts. You have to have a sense of humor about it.”