Top photo: Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill takes the Polar Plunge

By Dallin Saurey

REXBURG—I appreciate activities designed to get the community involved. I have never been to the Winter Fest. When I first heard about it, it was probably the last year it was held in our community, in Smith Park.

Those who want to participate should sign a waiver form in the City of Rexburg’s social media site. Go to Facebook’s #cityofrexburg find the “Winter Park” advertisement and click on the “GOING” button at the bottom. You can also sign the risk of participation waiver on-site. However, entrance is free.

This year’s location is 722 N 12^th West. Teton Lakes Golf course. Go North off the Mainstreet (hwy33) intersection onto 12^th West by Valley Wide and Mother Hibbard’s gas stations.

To learn more about this year’s Winter Fest, I contacted Jerry Merrill, Rexburg’s Mayor. He said, “Now that we have the winter adventure park established at Teton Lakes, it just made sense to have our Winter Fest celebration there.”

He pointed out another reason to support this year’s event.

“Winterfest was held for several years but was discontinued after the 2016 year because it was too expensive to produce for the number of people that participated. This will be the first year since 2016 that we have held it.”

The city has had some help organizing the event from a group from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

“The MUSIC (Mayor’s University Student Involvement Committee) group has the desire to produce one big event every semester,” Merrill said. “This is the winter semester activity. The MUSIC group will provide other snow activities to participate in if you are waiting for rental equipment to become available.”

Or bring your own equipment. Also, free hot chocolate will be served!! You will also notice BOGO (buy one, get one) promotions on Rexburg’s Facebook page.

I believe it is very important for people to get out and have fun and get some exercise, especially during the winter. I think that will cut down on the amount of depression and other mental health issues that we experience. There is also the hope that getting together with our less-known neighbors can strengthen our community. You might even find a new outdoor skill. I hope to see old friends there and make new acquaintances.

Details:

9 AM Saturday, January 22^nd Cross country skiing and ice-skating rental equipment are available at the clubhouse. Sledding will also be an option from 9Am -9PM. Bring your own sleds.

Winter Fest starts at noon January 22. Closes at 4 PM (one day only) Organized be the student group named MUSIC.

There will be a hot tub provided by Brady’s to test. The clubhouse dressing rooms will be available to change into regular clothes.

At 2 PM there will be a Polar Bear Plunge! You can show your bravery by jumping into an ice-cold pool.

Those who want to do the Polar Bear Plunge should bring their own towel and a change of warm, dry clothes.