More Than 150 Plunge Into Lake Farmington to Fund Theater

On a gray, bone-chilling afternoon, about 200 people signed waivers and roughly 150 stepped into 40-degree Lake Farmington to start the year with an unusual combination of adrenaline and charitable giving. The event, organized by Dave Dailey and his informal group Dave and Friends, marked the fifth year the fundraiser has supported a different local nonprofit each January; this year’s beneficiary was Theater Ensemble Arts.

“I can’t do anything alone and my friends are the same,” said organizer Dave Dailey, describing how the plunge began as a small idea and grew into a community tradition. Organizers and participants framed the event as both a shared challenge and a way to funnel winter donations into local cultural institutions that often see reduced contributions at the start of the year.

Regular participants and newcomers alike described the physical shock and communal payoff. Organizer Haleigh Bassing, a five-year veteran, said hitting the cold water is “just a flash, like your body goes into shock.” “It’s such a good way to start the year,” Bassing said, noting the social and fundraising aspects: “To get people from our community to come out and support a nonprofit on the first day of the year and donate money. It’s just like everybody is doing it together, jumping in together. So good.”

Participants reported a range of experiences and motivations. Kimberly Willie, who took the plunge two years ago, said, “Oh my goodness, I lost my breath. It was intense.” Melissa Stewart, a four-year participant, called the ritual “always rejuvenating. I love it. It’s always a refresh for the new year.” Stewart attended with her husband Paul Arthur Stewart III, who dressed as Buddy the Elf, underscoring the event’s festive atmosphere even in cold, rainy conditions.

Some plungers stayed in the water for extended periods. Joe Alcon, a first-time plunger and the last man standing in the water, said it felt “great” when he hit the water and that “the longer you stay in the more you acclimate.” Tim Ulrich, who has joined every year and cited the Wim Hof method as inspiration, said, “Once you get past about five minutes then it’s not so bad.”

Organizers said weather likely limited turnout but reinforced the commitment of participants. Dailey said the colder, rainy conditions meant the crowd was “more die-hard,” and that the priority remains building community and supporting local nonprofits through an event that is at once playful and purposeful. For local cultural organizations such as Theater Ensemble Arts, those winter donations and the visibility the plunge brings are tangible support during a critical fundraising period.