• Tuesday-What'sUP February 3 - 12:51 am

Daryl Laitila was our "official" Polar Bear photographer, for the 2010 Heikinpäivä and she has a few dandy photos from the event to share with us today. Her first shot shows the "other side of the ice"... the crowd that gathers in front of the Ramada, near the Portage Lift Bridge to watch the festivities. Then of course Daryl snapped some of the folks that displayed their "SISU" in taking the plunge in the icy waters. The two young ladies in the second photo are carrying a sign that says: "4th Year Dive - Still Alive." Then the next photo shows them holding hands as they take the leap in their grass skirts. In case you can't tell, these girls were smart.... they had life jackets on under those tank tops!

If you're wondering why the elaborate costumes for jumping in the icy Portage Canal like that, let me explain... according to the official Polar Bear Dive info on the Heikinpäivä webpage, the participants can compete for cash prizes. If they choose that option for their plunge, then they're judged by three individuals who base their decision for the winner, on costume, presentation and execution of the dive.

I wonder if anyone has ever dressed up in a Pasty costume and jumped in the lake, that'd make a frozen pasty for sure. Don't worry though, even though our Genuine UP Pasties start their journey from the Pasty Central Kitchens frozen, that's not how the freezing is accomplished! Now would be a good time to order UP some of those tasty treats to get you through these wintry months!

Is the guy in the fifth photo wearing a snout or is he just happy to be there?

My gosh! I have a hard time doing this in the summer. I can't imagine doing it in the winter!

Hearty souls with good bragging rights!

How deep is the water where they do the Polar Bear dive?

Jay...according to a post several days ago, the depth at the dive site is 23 feet.

IS THERE MUCH OF A CURRENT AT THAT SITE. AND AS I ALWAYS SAY "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE CRAZY BUT IT HELPS." JUST KIDDING. GOD BLESS

Br! Not for me, but I'm glad there are people out there who enjoy this. I second Janie's sentiments -- they've definitely earned bragging rights here! On a serious note... Some of those costumes, especially the "fully clothed" one, involve a lot of clothing and even shoes. Do they ever get so waterlogged as to have troubles or has anyone ever slipped under the ice? I've never heard of anyone dying at this event, and the dry-suited diver is there, I'm sure, in case of emergency, but still, I wonder....

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Does anybody know where the fireworks for winter carnival are going to be? The first and last time I saw them they were in Hancock. Thank You.

I thought the fireworks were shot off from the top of Mt Ripley, at least from the pictures I have seen.

Alex:
The post stating the depth of the water was measured at 23 feet said it was at a point in the shipping channel. It looks like they are closer to the shore, so I don't think the water is that deep where this event takes place. In the last photo it seems like that one girl is standing on the bottom as she moves toward the side of the hole in the ice.

It appears that there is a guy in a wet suit standing near in case anyone gets into trouble.