SEA ISLE CITY – During Sea Isle City’s 19th Annual Polar Bear Plunge Weekend, Feb. 15-17, approximately 47,000 people came to town to enjoy a variety of events and activities, which ranged from a costume contest and the crowing of the 2013 “Polar Bear Royal Family” to a 5K Run and Walk for Autism and a chilly dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
The weekend began on Friday evening with a series of competitions that determined this year’s Polar Bear King, Queen, Prince and Princess. During the Prince and Princess contests, Judges Lynda Weed of NBC-40 TV, Former Egg Harbor Township Mayor Bob Burns, Tina Owen of Kool 98.3 FM, and Comedian / Radio Host Big Daddy Graham considered each contestant’s appearances and personalities. In the King and Queen contests, judges based their decisions upon the contestant’s personalities and how much money they each raised for Autism charities.
In the end, the winners of the 2013 Polar Bear Prince and Princess contests were Kevin Rescigno, 15, of Cape May Court House, and Barbara Jean Bennett, 13, of Sea Isle City, respectively. Dan Otto, of Sea Isle City, who was dressed in a patriotic “Uncle Dan” outfit and raised $5,625 for autism, won the title of 2013 King. Jodi LaRosa, of Sea Isle City, who wore a “Polar Angel” costume and raised $550 for the charity, was named 2013 Queen. In addition to crowns and satin sashes, each of the 2013 Polar Bear Royal Family members also received iPad Minis, courtesy of the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization. All other contestants received gift bags from local merchants.
On Saturday, the fun continued with the 2013 Polar Bear Costume Contest, which is a very popular event that never fails to please.
Mary Geohring, of Shamong, NJ, who was dressed as a life-size beach bag, was the winner of the contest’s Best Individual award. “The Ninja Turtles,” including Joe, Cifelli, Bob Mosley, Marc Cepha, Mike Kleinz and Eric Bauberger, of Sicklerville, NJ, won first prize in the Medium Group Division. “The Bad News Bears,” a sleuth of 16 friends led by Robert Marsch, of Media PA, won the award for Best Large Group. The Burick clan, of Langhorne, PA, won first prize in the Family Division, thanks to their giant red “Solo Cup” costumes. And, a group of nine friends led by Joe Spause, of Fort Washington, PA, won the contest’s Best in Show award while dressed as characters from “Peter Pan.”
After the Costume Contest, the event’s Polar Bear Parade took place along JFK Boulevard, featuring many revelers, such as The Fralinger String Band and the 2013 Polar Bear King and Queen, who were seated on a 400-pound ice throne. Once everyone was gathered on the beach at JFK Boulevard, the plunge took place at approximately 2:00 p.m. Afterwards, a “Post Plunge Party” was held under the Family Tent at LaCosta Lounge, where the winners of the Costume Contest received their awards.
On Sunday of Plunge Weekend, the fun continued with the 5th Annual Polar Bear 5K Run / Walk for Autism, sponsored by Mike’s Seafood of Fish Alley. With 577 runners and nearly 1600 walkers, the event was a tremendous success. Prizes were presented to the winners of the 5K during a “Post Race Party and Award Ceremony” under a heated tent at LaCosta Lounge on JFK Boulevard.
The overall winner of the 2013 Polar Bear 5K Run was Zach Miller, 29, of Brookhaven, PA, who finished the race in 15-minutes and 38-seconds. This year’s second place winner was Kevin Donnelly, 24, of Lansdale, PA. Donnelly, who crossed the finish line with a time of 15:56, was the 1st place winner during 2012’s Polar Bear 5K Run. Nick DeSantis, 28, of Blackwood, NJ, finished in third place with a time of 15:57. Erin Giampietro, 21, of Bryn Mawr, PA, was the first female to cross the finish line, with a time of 20:02. Additional race results can be viewed online at www.compuscore.com.
To learn about other events taking place in Sea Isle City, visit www.seaislecitynj.us .
