Snow, ice doesn’t deter Polar Plunge in Parker
A boy runs out of the icy water as 160 people, young and old, braved the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
160 brave cold waters to support first responders
PARKER, Armstrong County — A few inches of snow on the ground roads didn’t deter over 100 brave souls from walking into the freezing Allegheny River on Thursday for the annual Polar Plunge.
Each New Year’s Day, Parker swells in size for the Polar Plunge, and the same was true on Thursday, despite estimates of 5 inches of snow falling on the area the previous night.
“It’s a major attraction that brings people around to patronize our businesses,” said Bud Amsler, the borough’s mayor.
Despite the harsh conditions — which included chunks of ice floating down the Allegheny — 160 participants registered for this year’s Polar Plunge. Some of the participants even opted to go in shirtless.
According to organizers, the turnout marks only a slight decrease over last year’s event.
An attendee throws ice he gathered in the river as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
“For true Polar Plungers, this is their type of day,” Amsler said.
One of those “true Polar Plungers” is Sue Faustin, who has taken part in the event for around a quarter-century. Faustin said this year’s plunge was not the coldest one she’s experienced.
“It was colder one other time,” Faustin said. “A few years ago it was really cold.”
Cody Freehling took the plunge for the third consecutive year on Thursday and said he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.
“It’s almost burning for the first 10 seconds, but then your body eventually just goes numb and then you’re fine with staying however long you want,” Freehling said. “It’s just fun to do to start the new year off right.”
Jill Shick took the plunge along with her two sons, Jayce and Bryce, both 12, and family friend Blake Douglass, also 12.
For Blake it was his second time going into the river, while the Shick trio took the plunge for the first time.
“Seeing pictures of it last year, they wanted to do it,” Jill said.
When asked about the experience, Blake said, “I can’t feel my feet.”
Registration cost $15 per head. After expenses are deducted, any proceeds from the event are passed along to the Parker Volunteer Fire Department and Emlenton EMS, as well as families in need of financial assistance to cover unexpected expenses.
“If there’s anything left, we put that toward our Community Day celebration on the last day in June,” Amsler said. “It’s for the benefit of the community and the kids.”
A group of women come up form dipping their heads under the water as 200 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
A group of boys splash each other as they stay in the river for an extended period of time as 200 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Two attendees high five each other as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
An attendee throws ice he gathered in the river as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Two attendees high five each other as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
A group of boys splash each other as they stay in the river for an extended period of time as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
A boy runs out of the icy water as 160 people, young and old, braved the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
A group of women come up from dipping their heads under the water as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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An attendee throws ice he gathered in the river as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Two attendees high five each other as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A group of boys splash each other as they stay in the river for an extended period of time as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A boy runs out of the icy water as 160 people, young and old, braved the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A group of women come up from dipping their heads under the water as 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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About 160 people, young and old, braved the icy waters of the Allegheny River during the annual Parker Polar Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Armstrong County. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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