Braving the chill and chasing the thrill, not even cold temperatures could keep crowds from taking the plunge at Bakersfield’s annual Polar Bear tradition on New Year’s Day.
The City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks hosted the event at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center, where plungers dove into cold water as a refreshing way to start the new year. Afterward, participants were treated to hot chocolate.
For first-time participant Mason Schwartz, the experience was memorable…