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Lewes Polar Bear Plunge offers weekend of fun

Wearing polar bear-themed headgear, Norm Dagg and Dean Snyder pose for a photo. TED PFIRRMANN PHOTOS
Ted Pfirrmann
February 5, 2025

There’s so much more to the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge than people jumping into a freezing Atlantic Ocean, as the event hosts a variety of activities all weekend in Rehoboth Beach. 

Special Olympics Delaware hosted Fire & Ice Festivities Feb. 1 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach. The event, sponsored by the Boardwalk Buddy Walk, featured hot wings and ice cream tastings.

Wing samples were available from Kiwi’s Cove, Iron Hill Brewery, Tiki Jack’s Street Eats and Brews, and Zogg’s Raw Bar & Grill, with Tiki Jack’s winning the hot wing contest.

Attendees could also sample ice cream from Uncle David’s Ice Cream and Woodside Farm Creamery, with Gretchen Lauer of Woodside Farm Creamery winning the ice cream contest.

On the beach, Andy West and his sand bears created a Polar Bear Plunge-themed sandcastle. Wind speeds hampered construction and caused moderate erosion overnight Feb. 1, but the creation was ready for the big event Feb. 2. Working with West were Darrell O’Conner, Heather Williams, Lynn Boyer Williams, Pete Faverio, Brendan Schaffer and Adam Basalyga.

In addition to all the activities, Special Olympics Delaware honored sponsors at an awards ceremony. Those honored include Jack Lingo Realtor and Chick-fil-A. 

Andy West and his sand bears created this sandcastle for this year’s Polar Bear Plunge.
Attending a recognition ceremony are (l-r) Lewie P. Bear with Jim Watson, Sharonlee Diehl and Dennis Diehl of the Boardwalk Buddy Walk, and Special Olympics Delaware CEO and President David Halley.
Gretchen Lauer of Woodside Farm Creamery receives an award for the best ice cream from David Halley, president and CEO of Special Olympics Delaware, and Lewie P. Bear.
Hard at work getting people through the line are (l-r) Eric Ketterer, Kylie Frazer, Dedria Foster and Hailey Ferrara.
The hall was busy, but the crowd kept flowing.
Nathan Maggioli and Nora Perez represent Iron Hill Brewery.
Suzanne Gustafson and Sylvia Cosme serve wings from Kiwi’s Cove.
Caroline McClelland hugs Lewie P. Bear as grandmother Maureen McClelland looks on.
Special Olympics Delaware CEO and President David Halley takes a rare break from running around to tally the votes for the hot wing and ice cream competitions.
Gretchen Lauer of Woodside Farm Creamery works her stand.
Andy West and his sand bears work hard despite windy conditions.
Andy West and his sand bears are focused on the task at hand.
Aaron Mattis of Chick-fil-A accepts a plaque for sponsoring the event.
Jack Lingo proudly displays his sponsor plaque.

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