The Polar Bear Plunge returns with a number of other events this January during the two-day Big Chill event held in Baldwinsville.

The winter event will kick off Friday, Jan. 20, at the Red Mill Inn with wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres, followed by fun and “chilly” events Saturday at Mercer Park along the Seneca River, which runs through the heart of Baldwinsville. This family-friendly event will feature a snowman making contest, the tasty best-in-bowl cook-off and the signature Polar Bear Plunge. Teams and individuals will be raising money while taking a frosty dip into the Seneca River. The fun continues Saturday evening with the Poker Bear Express, a poker run/pub crawl.

The Big Chill has seen more than 1,000 participants annually since its inception four years ago and has raised $70,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY, and the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce. These same charities will benefit from proceeds raised during this year’s event.

For more information about “taking the plunge” and other activities, visit b-ville.com and click on “B’ville’s Big Chill.”