Members of the Coney Island Polar Club enjoy a Sunday Swim, December 22, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
The Coney Island Polar Bears, the oldest winter bathing club in the country, go for a dip in the Atlantic every Sunday starting in November. On January 1st, everyone’s invited to join the party. The Polar Bear Plunge is a fun way to spend New Year’s Day, whether you brave the water or snap photos from the shore. Some of the costumed plungers in Bruce Handy’s photos of past New Year’s Days are reminiscent of the Mermaid Parade. There’s the Metrocard Man, Big Babies in Diapers, Hawaiian dancers, and many superheroes, as well as penguins, ducks, and of course polar bears!
Costumed Characters: Asbury Toll Plaza Meets MetroCard Man at 2013 Polar Bear Plunge, January 1, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
The zany event is also a fundraiser for Camp Sunshine, where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families can enjoy a summer holiday. You can register and pledge a donation to this year’s plunge or help participants meet their fundraising goals here. Swim time is 1pm, but it’s best to arrive early. About 2,000 people joined last year’s Plunge, earning an “I Did It” certificate from the Club and bragging rights forever while raising more than $22,000 for Camp Sunshine.
Among the stores that will be open for New Year’s Day are Nathan’s, Ruby’s Bar, The Freak Bar, Tom’s Coney Island and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, along with Williams Candy, Lola Star’s Boardwalk Boutique, Coney Island and Brooklyn Beach Shops, and Brooklyn Rock. For the first time ever, the Coney Island Circus Sideshow will perform on New Year’s Day, with continuous shows from 2-6pm 12-7pm.
2012 Polar Bear Plunge, January 1, 2012. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
Related posts on ATZ…
January 1, 2013: Videos of the Day: Coney Island Polar Bear New Year’s Day Plunge 2013
January 3, 2012: Record 3,000 “Do It” at Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge
December 18, 2011: Playing Santa at the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge
Jan 2, 2010: Photo Album: Coney Island Boardwalk, New Year’s Day 2010
Amusing the Zillion 
Also Applebee’s and ItsSugar will be open. Can’t figure out the reason for the oversight lol.
The reason for the “oversight,” as you know, is that I hate the fact that Surf Ave is becoming a mecca for chains and franchises. Any business that gets a mention in my blog gets free publicity, whether it’s a shop/restaurant unique to Coney Island or a chain store identical to the one on Broadway and in Abu Dhabi. Not in the habit of giving anything away to international chains (Nathan’s and Grimaldi’s are locally-grown) if I can help it.
Applebees and It’Sugar don’t need a plug from me while the mom & pops like Tom’s and Williams, which are genuinely worth the trip here, appreciate it. But in the spirit of the holiday season, I approved your comment. Happy New Year!
Nicely put Tricia.
TY and Happy New Year!