“POLAR BEARS DIP IN THE GULF”

25th Annual Polar Bear Dip
	Thursday, January 1, 2009
	High Noon

“You’d have to be a polar bear to enjoy swimming in January,” so say locals at the Flora-Bama_® Lounge & Package.  On Thursday, New Year’s Day, at high noon, “Polar Bears” will dip in the Gulf of Mexico at the Florida/ Alabama line.

 What is a polar bear dip?  A group of people (size usually depends on the weather) joins hands and wade into the Gulf.  Those who are a little more ambitious take a plunge headfirst into “icy” Gulf waters, sometimes dragging their friends with them.

 Why would anyone swim in January?  One Polar Bear Dip veteran responded, “It’s kind of an initiation – no, I’d never do it – it’s too early in the morning.”  Noon is considered first thing in the morning on “Flora-Bama_® Time” and never mind that he had participated in the event in previous years.

 The event is sponsored by the Flora-Bama_® Lounge and will be held on the beach at the Florida/ Alabama line.  All participants in the dip will receive traditional black-eyed peas. 

 For further information, please call (850) 492-0611 or (251) 980-5118.