Yet in Medicine Park, it’s the traditional formula for laughter, adventure and a good time.
Dozens of hardy souls proved that once again Saturday afternoon by plunging into the icy waters of Medicine Creek as part of the 12th annual Park Tavern Polar Plunge.
The event attracted hundreds of curious onlookers, many of whom were armed with cameras and videocameras to record the madness.
"It’s a rush,” said Machaelie Halsey, a wide-eyed Oklahoma City jumper.
"This is my second time. I did it last year as a birthday surprise for my dad, and now it’s a birthday tradition.”
Wrapped in a beach blanket, Halsey could only smile and shrug. She realizes she’s hooked.
And she isn’t alone.
"If you look around and look at all the different types of people here,” said her father, John Newman, who’s been participating in polar plunge events since 1965, "all these people are from different walks of life, and yet everyone is like family here and having a good time.”
How cool event began Sue Browning and Mary Duarte of Snyder sensed a joyous vibe when they stumbled into Medicine Park after the jump.
Unaware of the event, the women watched in disbelief as dozens of people walked past them with wet hair, soaked T-shirts and bathrobes.
"I thought they were all drunk,” Browning said, laughing.
Well, maybe some.
"I remember jumping one year when I was totally drunk,” quipped Tom Thompson of Medicine Park. "I hit the water, and I was totally sober.”
Thompson is among a handful of Park Tavern patrons who made the original jump in 1997 — an event now entrenched in legend around the bar.
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