Fire and water in Birch Bay this New Year’s

By Steve Guntli

Come out to Birch Bay this New Year’s to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new.

Birch Bay will hold back-to-back celebrations on December 31 and January 1 to celebrate the new year. The Ring of Fire and Hope and the Polar Bear Plunge will each feature food, music and fun for the whole family.

Join the celebration on New Year’s Eve as hundreds for the Ring of Fire and Hope. Each year, people light hundreds of red road flares around the bay and release glowing luminaria lanterns into the sky. Free flares, donated by Mike Kent, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and additional flares will be available for purchase at Pacific Building Center, 2677 Bell Road. The flares will be lit at 7 p.m.

The ever-popular Polar Bear Plunge challenges brave souls to dive into the icy waters of Birch Bay to help ring in the New Year. Show off your best costumes for a chance to win prizes, and after the plunge, warm up at the bonfire in the future Birch Bay beach park.

Both events are free to participate. T-shirts are available for purchse for a limited time.  For more information, visit birchbaychamber.com.