Hundreds plunge into chilly Lake Washington in Kirkland to celebrate New Year | Slideshow

Kirkland resident Rob Butcher made a big splash this year - perhaps bigger than the hundreds of people who plunged into the chilly Lake Washington at Marina Park on New Year's Day during the 11th annual Polar Bear Plunge.

By Carrie Rodriguez • January 1, 2013 5:34 pm
Kirkland resident Rob Butcher garnered many chuckles as he went all out during this year's 11th annual unofficial Polar Bear Plunge and dressed as a woman in pink. Hundreds gathered on New Year's Day at Marina Park to take the daring plunge into the 40-degree Lake Washington.
Kirkland resident Rob Butcher garnered many chuckles as he went all out during this year's 11th annual unofficial Polar Bear Plunge and dressed as a woman in pink. Hundreds gathered on New Year's Day at Marina Park to take the daring plunge into the 40-degree Lake Washington.

Kirkland resident Rob Butcher made a big splash this year – perhaps bigger than the hundreds of people who plunged into the chilly Lake Washington at Marina Park on New Year’s Day during the 11th annual Polar Bear Plunge.

Dressed in pink, Butcher garnered many chuckles as he paraded himself as a drag queen. Many others also wore silly hats and costumes to ring in the New Year during the event.

Some City of Kirkland dignitaries were also daring enough to take the plunge, including Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride and Councilman Bob Sternoff.

The city sponsored the annual event for several years until budget cutbacks in 2009.

However, many in Kirkland still flock to the Lake Washington shores every year to unofficially carry out the tradition.