BALDWINSVILLE – The 16th Annual B’ville Big Chill returns to Mercer Park on Jan. 28, yet again offering participants the chance to brave the icy water for a good cause.
The event, presented by The Rotary Club of Baldwinsville and the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Rotary supports children and families in Baldwinsville with scholarships and other educational, social and community services. The GBCC provides resources and support to local business, maintains the Baldwinsville Visitor Center, offers a scholarship to high school students and supports initiatives to make Baldwinsville the best place to work, live, and play.
Events like the Big Chill are vital for the chamber, which does not receive funding from municipalities or any other outside entities. GBCC relies on member dues and fundraising to fund its annual scholarship award and cover operating expenses.
What is the B’ville Big Chill?
The B’ville Big Chill is a zany winter event, showcasing the people and businesses of Baldwinsville, with the highlight being teams of people plunging into the icy Seneca River to raise money for the community and local charities. The top three fundraising teams can win a donation for the charity of their choice.
“It’s a fun event,” says MaryAnne Williams, a relationship banker at the Baldwinsville branch of Seneca Savings, who previously acted as the fundraiser’s executive director. “It’s always astounding to see people volunteer to jump into the water and actually enjoy it.”
Also featured during the B’ville Big Chill is the Best in Bowl competition, where attendees, for $5 per person, can enjoy music while sampling food from local eateries. Participating establishments will be announced soon.
And, as an added bonus, the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile is coming to this year’s B’ville Big Chill.
Before you take the plunge
A 2023 Big Chill Pre-Registration Party will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, at WT Brews.
Held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. by the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce and B’ville Big Chill, plungers are invited to come to this event to turn in any cash or check donations they have and select their plunge time. If you are the first to choose a plunge time, you can select your preferred plunge music.
Each person on a team should have $100 raised by the time of the plunge. Plungers are encouraged to have at least one person from their team attend the pre-registration party.
Non-plungers are invited too – support the event by stopping in to enjoy special Big Chill beverages.
There will also be guest bartenders for the event – make them work for their tips, which will be donated to the B’ville Big Chill.
Warm up after you chill
After fundraisers have a chance to warm up, the fun continues at 4 p.m. Jan. 28 with the Poker Bear Express Pub Crawl.
The pub crawl, which includes a poker-themed competition with cash prizes, runs until 8 p.m. Purchase a ticket for $10 and walk to participating bars to try to make a winning poker hand. Best hand wins a cash prize! Participating locations will be announced soon.
Proceeds will go towards educational and social services in the Baldwinsville community, as well as local charities.
All participants need to raise at least $100 in order to jump into the river on Jan. 28. To sign up for the B’Ville Big Chill, visit bvillebigchill.causevox.com. For more information regarding the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, visit baldwinsvillechamber.com.