Taking the plunge to welcome 2024

Lobster Dip and Polar Bear Dips help ring in new year

Lobster Dip took on a whole new meaning in the Municipality of Barrington on New Year’s Day – one that isn’t served with chips and crackers.

More than 100 people took the plunge into the Atlantic Ocean while hundreds more watched from the shoreline at the Stoney Island Beach on Cape Sable Island for the first annual Lobster Dip in the Municipality of Barrington on Jan. 1.

“A great way to kick off 2024. We couldn’t ask for any better,” said Suzy Atwood, community development coordinator for the municipality, who was also one of the dippers.

Young and old took up the challenge, some dressing in costume, adding to the festivities. Adam Bissonnette of Argyle, Yarmouth County, won the best costume award.

The Island & Barrington Passage Fire Department was on site, as well as Nova Scotia Lifeguard Services to ensure safety. Almost $2,000 was raised through donations for Our House Youth Wellness Centre, which along with the Barrington & Area Chamber of Commerce was on site to help with registration, serve hot chocolate and judge costumes.

The plan is to make the Lobster Dip an annual event, perhaps expanding on it.

“Maybe we can get some other organizations involved with a breakfast or something like that. It’s definitely something we want to expand on and do annually," Atwood said.

In Digby County, the annual Polar Bar Dip took place at Sandy Cove East Beach with 31 participants. Following the dip people gathered at the Schoolhouse Café in Digby Neck Consolidated School for some warm potluck treats.

All free-will donations from the Sandy Cove event were to go to the Connect Care Food Program. Administered

by the Live Well Community Church, the program helps to provide food security to families living on Digby Neck and the Islands.

In Yarmouth, the annual Polar Bear Dip took place at Lake Milo, with people running down the boat launch ramp for their chilly dip into the lake. A first this year saw approximately 18 international

students take part.

The event is put on annually by the Yarmouth Polar Bear Club and Boston Pizza and is held in support of the Yarmouth Fire Department. The amount raised was around $2,500 and growing. Members of the fire department were on hand to help out with the chilly New Year’s Day tradition.

KATHY JOHNSON People head back to shore after taking a New Year’s Day Lobster Dip at the Stoney Island Beach in the Municipality of Barrington.

DARRELL MACKINNON While some people spent a bit of time in the water at Lake Milo for the annual Polar Bear Dip in Yarmouth, for others it was an in and quickly out thing.

KARLA KELLY Anna-Marie MacKenzie Kelly, a Digby Neck Polar Bear Dip organizer, and Digby-Annapolis MLA Jill Balser share a moment after the New Year’s Day event in Sandy Cove.

KATHY JOHNSON People get ready to take to the water while others socialize at the Stoney Island beach in the Municipality of Barrington for the first annual New Year’s Day Lobster Dip.

KATHY JOHNSON A lobster makes the rounds at the first annual New Year’s Day Lobster Dip at the Stoney Island beach in the Municipality of Barrington.

DARRELL MACKINNON In they go! People run into a cold Lake Milo on New Year’s Day in Yarmouth for the annual Polar Bear Dip.

KARLA KELLY Janet McNeill, a Digby Neck Polar Bear Dip organizer, adds a log to the fire just before the start of the annual 2024 event.