Two end-of-year traditions just around the corner

GAINESVILLE - Two Gainesville end-of-the-year traditions are coming up in a matter of days.

One is the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club's Polar Bear Swim Saturday afternoon and the other is First Night, which will welcome in the new year downtown Saturday night.

The 9th edition of the Polar Bear Swim is taking place on New Year's Eve this year instead of New Year's Day so Gainesville Mayor Wangeman can make his ninth leap into the chilly waters of Lake Lanier. The date change to Saturday afternoon will also prevent a conflict with Sunday church services. It will take place at 2:00 at the Lake Lanier Olympic Center.

The theme this year will be "the Olympics" to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1996 Olympic Games. The spring canoe and kayak events and rowing were held at the venue in July 1996.

Once again this year there will be t-shirts, hot chili, hot tubs, best costume and best jump competitions. Each jumper is asked to make a $25 contribution to the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club.

Father Vincent from St. Michael's Catholic Church in Gainesville has been encouraging his entire congregation to jump to celebrate life and symbolically take an adventurous step in life.

FIRST NIGHT

First Night is a family-friendly, alcohol-free way to welcome the new year. This will be the 7th annual edition. The first was New Year's Eve 1999. This year all venues, featuring music and other entertainment and food, will be held indoors in downtown Gainesville. The events get underway at 5:30 and will culminate with a fireworks display at midnight.