Irvington Residents Take The Penguin Plunge

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Residents of the Village of Irvington came out to watch their friends and neighbors take the Penguin Plunge at Matthiessen Park.

Residents of the Village of Irvington came out to support their friends and neighbors.
Photo Credit: *Pamela Stern*

Irvington residents are ready to take the plunge into the water.
Photo Credit: *Pamela Stern*

Fiona Goldman had a blast on the mechanical bull.
Photo Credit: *Pamela Stern*

The Penguin Plungers took the Plunge into the water.
Photo Credit: *Pamela Stern*

Nessie Bancroft was dressed as the Loch Ness Monster and took the prize for best female costume.
Photo Credit: *Pamela Stern*

Jimmy Softserve was a winner for the fourth consective year for best male costume.
Photo Credit: *Pamela Stern*

Dressed as Superheroes were Mike Toolan, Kristy Schmitt and Jonathan Kashkin.
Photo Credit: *Pamela Stern*

by Pamela Stern

04/29/2015 7:00 p.m.

This event originally had been postponed due to the fact the park and the water had been frozen. The water that the plungers were going into was 40 degrees and participants were ready to take the plunge for a good cause. Mayor Brian Smith led the pack of plungers into the water.

Plungers entered into the water and didn't seem to mind how cold it was as they started to play football in the water.

There were awards for the individual who raised the most money and that went to Smith (who was also a repeat winner), the team who raised the most money was the Ultimate Frisbee Team (they are also a repeat winner) and there were three awards given out for the Best Male Costume which went to Jimmy Softserve who repeatedly has won for the past four consecutive years, Best Female Costume which went to Nessie (Heather Bancroft) the Loch Ness Monster, and the final awards for Best Team Costume went to Buckhout Cannonballs.

This event was organized by Maria Kashkin, who is the Chairperson of FACE (Fundraising and Community Events). FACE raises money to provide the Village of Irvington with programs and events that were cut from the Irvington Park and Recreation's budget.

"The turnout is great. Today is a beautiful day for a great event," Kashkin said.

Irvington resident, Andrea Sarayli said she enjoys showing her support to the village.

"My family and I come to all of the events that we can go to. I like to help out the community and I like how everyone comes together," Sarayli said.

Seventh-grade Irvington resident Fiona Goldman was having a "bull" of a time on the mechanical bull.

"It looked like fun, so I tried it and I had a great time," Goldman said.

"I love participating for a good cause," said Heather Bancroft, otherwise known as "Nessie" the Locknest Monster. "I love walking outside of my house and looking at the beautiful view of the river. This is a great community."

Softserve, four-time winner of the best male costume contest, who was dressed as a fireplace, said he wanted to "warm the residents up" after a long winter, hence the costume as a fireplace.

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