Record Breaking Crowds To Start 2016

By Michael Quinn

Yes, Coney Island is a year round destination. According to local Council Member Mark Treyger the NYPD estimated that over 15,000 people rang in the New Year at Steeplechase Plaza along with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and an assortment of entertainers. There were similar numbers the next day at the annual January 1st Polar Bear Plunge. A new tradition is born as another continues to thrive!

Veteran non-profit organization Team RWB has officially made this a new annual tradition as the largest amount of members and veterans to date took to the Atlantic Ocean this year for the plunge!

Not only was this the largest crowd on this day in recent memory. According to Community District Manager and Polar Bear Club member Eddie Mark a record breaking $80,000 + was raised (update $87.000) for Camp Sunshine, a retreat located in Maine for children with life threatening diseases and their families.

The Coney Island Blog documented the entire day starting at Peggy O’Neill’s with Team RWB. You may see some familiar faces. Some highlights include the Warriors Girls positioning for the New York Daily News cameras, Dick Zigun and Kim Rancourt greeting us on the beach, Ivy Supersonic with pal Taylor and his 1940’s camera, Jimmy “Major” Prince, JH, bagpipes, dancing, Amos Wengler singing for us, the Ruby’s Crew, and of course the Coney Island Polar Bears!

Check out the Coney Island Blog for video Episode 2.