Maryland town celebrates New Year’s with polar bear plunge

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Calvert County polar bear plunge (Omama Altaleb)

WASHINGTON — After a long night of celebrating, many people take it easy on New Year’s Day.

But in the Calvert County, Maryland town of North Beach, many chose to welcome the first day of 2016 with a shock to the system.

The town counted 345 participants in this year’s version of the annual polar bear plunge into the Chesapeake Bay.

As throngs of onlookers watched, some people ran into the water up to their thighs and waist, and then ran out.

Others took the full plunge, dunking their heads under the waves.

Town leaders say the water temperature for the event was 46 degrees.

Watch the video:

North Beach Polar Bear Plunge! @WTOP pic.twitter.com/wdPZCMUO8T

— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 1, 2016

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