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The Winterfest 2018 Series: Another Very Successful Year with Record-Breaking Numbers

Blowing Rock’s WinterFest Celebration is always a good time had by all. Winterfest 2018 ringed in the new year with record breaking numbers, while raising thousands of dollars for local nonprofit organizations.

The Polar Plunge is always a festival favorite. This year, there was a record number of plungers! Despite the foggy weather, spirits were high and laughs were heard from across the lake at Chetola Resort.

Jean Hearn and her late husband Dick Hearn are no strangers to the Polar Plunge. The two have jumped together every year except for one due to extremely icy conditions. This is the first year that the two have not jumped together as a couple. In honor of the Hearns, Jean Hearn was selected as the Polar Plunge Queen. In the past, the Hearns have worn some extraordinary outfits. Because of that, all were in agreement of having the Polar Plunge Queen select the participants who deemed worthy of the Golden Plunger Award.

The Rotary Charity Chili Challenge raised over $5,500. The overall winner of the event was Twigs Restaurant and Bar who partnered with the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation.

Winter is typically a slower season in the High Country, however Blowing Rock was packed during WinterFest! Blowing Rock citizens claimed that the area was very busy, resembling the same amount of people who visit during the Fourth of July.  

For those who were not able to attend WinterFest, or for those who would like to relive some of the glorious memories, check out the images below!

 

Jean Hearn

Blowing Rock Fire Department provided safety in the water and on the dock
Tracy Brown of the Blowing Rock TDA and John Carter of WBTV who was Master of Ceremonies for the Polar Plunge event
Jean Hearn who was selected as the Polar Plunge Queen makes her way to the Polar Plunge Throne
Hearn takes her place on the Throne with the Golden Plunger that she awarded to the group with the best costumes

And off they go . . . close to 140 jumpers this year, the most ever