The Bill Murray Look-a-Like Polar Bear Plunge returns Jan. 1
Special to The Current
Once again you’re encouraged to dress as your favorite Bill Murray character and celebrate New Year’s Day by taking a plunge into the frigid ocean water on Folly Beach with lots of other Bill Murray wannabes. The 3rd Annual Bill Murray Look-a-Like Polar Bear Plunge is set to take place on Friday, Jan 1, 2016. The plunge will take place beach-side in front of the Tides Hotel with festivities starting at noon.
Organized by the Folly Association of Businesses (FAB), this is the third year the plunge will pay homage to one of Charleston’s favorite residents, Bill Murray. All attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Murray movie character and “freeze their Bills off.”
“It’s a fun event,” says FAB president Lewis Dodson. “From a business perspective it brings people out to Folly Beach, but it also enhances the character of Folly. We think we’re a fun place and it’s something fun we can do.”
Registration for the plunge begins at 12 p.m. at the information booth on the beach and judging of the contestants will begin at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for Best Guy, Best Girl, Best Team, and Best Overall Bill Murray, and then attendees will take the cold plunge at 2 p.m.
The Polar Bear Plunge on Folly Beach is hardly like cutting a hole in the ice and jumping in. But the average water temperature in January is a brisk 68°, nearly 20 degrees cooler than peak summer water temps. It’s cold enough that Dodson says he’s not going to be taking the plunge. “I hate cold weather,” admits Dodson. He will, however, be more than happy to provide plungers with liquid courage before they brave the chilly waters. Dodson is co-owner of Drop-In Deli on Center Street, one of several restaurants and bars that are open before the event.
Before the plunge, guests can start to recover from New Year’s Eve with cocktail specials at participating Folly Beach businesses: Woody’s Pizza, Rita’s Seaside Grille, St. James Gate, The Grill & Island Bar, Chico Feo, Folly Beach Crab Shack, Jack of Cups Saloon, Loggerhead’s Beach Grill, Drop-In Bar & Deli, Planet Follywood, Blu Restaurant & Bar, Locklear’s Beach City Grill, and Snapper Jack’s. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit local Folly Beach charities.
