Winterfest, polar plunge, returns to Empire
Wendyl Wason cannonballs into South Bar Lake through a hole cut in the ice. Photo by Jack Gyr
From staff reports
As Leelanau County embraces a snowy winter, the Empire Area Community Center (EACC) plans to revive a favorite winter tradition — the Empire Winterfest. Events will be hosted throughout the village on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Winterfest was last held in Empire in 2018, but had been celebrated for decades before. The most well-known event — a polar plunge in South Bar Lake — will return this year, along with a number of other activities including public saunas, a neighbor coffee hour, potluck, and live music.
“Winterfest in Empire has for many years been a long-standing tradition that brings community members together,” said EACC president Gerry Shiffman. “We invite our friends and neighbors in surrounding communities and from far and wide to gather and celebrate with us as we collectively raise our spirits and enjoy all of the splendor and beauty this remarkable area and its extraordinary people have to offer.”
Festivities will begin at 9 am with yoga at the Township Hall. From 12-5 pm the Friends of the Library will host a book sale at the Glen Lake Community Library. At 1 pm, brave souls (and encouraging spectators!) are invited to South Bar Lake near the north end of the parking lot for the famous polar plunge in the frozen lake. All participants of the polar plunge will receive a coupon for free hot cocoa from Grocer’s Daughter. Sleeping Bear Sauna will have saunas available for public use from 12-3 pm.
From 2-4 pm, Tiffany’s Cafe will host a coffee meetup for neighbors (or anyone), and new area residents are especially invited to come get acquainted. Across the street from Tiffany’s, Sleeping Bear Surf will be open throughout the day, and will host family-friendly winter activities outside, including snowball throwing competitions, snowman making, and ice bowling. The beer garden at Joe’s Friendly Tavern will be open with a firepit and drinks and snacks available throughout the afternoon.
In the evening, there will be a soup potluck at the Empire Township Hall from 5-7 pm. Chris Skellenger and Paul Koss will play music. Attendees are invited to bring a salad, soup, or dessert to share. After the potluck, the Empire Village Inn welcomes everyone for the afterparty, where winter drink specials will be available.
Local resident, village council trustee, and owner of Sleeping Bear Surf, Ella Skrocki, has fond memories of attending Winterfest while growing up. She looks forward to seeing the event return to the village, noting that “particularly during this time of year, when it feels a little harder to pull ourselves out of hibernation, gatherings like Winterfest are a way to create some sunshine! When we gather for some lighthearted play with our neighbors, we prompt a coming together, enabling a community to not just survive, but thrive.”
Local shops including Empire Outdoors, Sleeping Bear Surf, Nature Walk Studio, and JoJo and Bucky will be open throughout the day. Empire Outdoors will host a sale of 30% off clothing, and Nature Walk Studio has a 25% off sale on clothing and jewelry.
For more details, including a full schedule of events, visit EmpireAreaCommunityCenter.org or empirechamber.com/event/empire-winterfest.
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