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SALEM — Most people did their best to stay warm on this cold New Year's Day, but there were a few who wanted to ring in 2016 by jumping into some ice cold water.
Ice covered most of Salem pond Friday and the temperature hovered at a frigid 10 degrees. However, at noon, a group of hearty souls arrived to ring in the New Year, in their own special way.
Seven locals gathered to participate in the annual polar plunge while others just watched-- as the clock struck 12 p.m. and an annual tradition on New Year's Day took place again, in just a matter of seconds.
After it was over, the polar plungers said it wasn't so bad after all.
"It is a new year — I am turning 50," said polar plunge participant, Kevin Lake. "It is a cool video for the kids to see. It was pretty awesome, very invigorating, very refreshing, actually."
The participants all feel optimistic about having a great year.
"In my family, we had two weddings and a baby in 2015, and I credit most of that to having jumped into [cold water on the first day of 2015,"](<3 men and an ice-cold pond: The Springville ‘polar plunge' 2015>) said participant Brian Stauffer. "2016 will be better."
