Locals make a splash at annual Rexburg “Snow Fest”

Those of all ages trekked through Smith Park Saturday afternoon.

Director of the Rexburg “Snow Fest”, Tom Anderson says instead of waiting for the snow to melt, you might as well embrace it.

“In Rexburg, you can’t get around the winter, so why not celebrate what we have? Celebrate the snow, celebrate the cold. Just get outside and have fun with it, be active in the winter,” said Anderson.

Families and friends played games, toasted marshmallows, made outdoor snow cones and more.

A celebrity even joined in — Disney princess Elsa from “Frozen” made a guest appearance for a sing-a-long.

However, the main attraction was the polar bear plunge.

More than a hundred people surrounded a pool of freezing icy water to cheer on those who were brave enough to jump in.

This is the seventh year in a row Dennis Glenn has participated in the plunge.

He’s now made it tradition not just for him but his entire family.

“I did it the first year and then after that I figured if I’m going to come up here and be cold so is all my grandkids,” said Glenn.

Those who took the plunge were entered into a raffle.

Glenn won a gift certificate to the Fatcats movie theater.

He says he plans to take his 16 grandchildren whom he persuaded to take the dive.