Birch Bay events to ring in the New Year

Snow or not, Birch Bay is ringing in the New Year with its annual family-friendly activities.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Ring of Fire and Hope starting 7 p.m. Friday, December 31. People will light up the sky along the Birch Bay shoreline as they light biodegradable road flares to kick off 2022. 

Participants can head over to Beach Cat Brewing Company, 7876 Birch Bay Drive, starting at 1 p.m. December 31 to pick up one free flare per family. Flares are available as supplies last. Flares can also be purchased at Pacific Building Center at 2677 Bell Road, Bay Center Market at 8050 Harborview Road and Tay’s Safety Supply at 2026 Main Street in Ferndale.

After lighting up the sky New Year’s Eve, plunge into the cold Birch Bay waters on January 1, 2022 during the 39th annual Polar Bear Plunge. The plunge will start in front of Beach Cat. Plunging registration, T-shirt sales and pre-order pick-ups begin at 10 a.m. A costume contest will take place at 11 a.m. before the plunge begins at 12 p.m. Warming tents will be set up at the south end of the Beach Cat parking lot.

For more information and to register for the plunge, visit birchbaychamber.com. 

Free event parking for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is available behind the Birch Bay Visitor Center. The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce asks drivers avoid parking behind CJ’s Beach House and The Beach at Birch Bay.