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EVENTFUL: Dive into polar plunge, anthracite history and gaming convention this weekend

Plungers leap into an icy pool at Montage Mountain Resorts.
Aimee Dilger
/
WVIA News
Plungers leap into an icy pool at the 2024 Northeast Polar Plunge at Montage Mountain.

Another cold weekend is upon us, and community events will provide opportunities to jump into icy waters, see ice sculptures and learn about the region’s history.

Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Some will dare to jump into cold water at Montage Mountain to raise funds for Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA).

The organization hosts eight polar plunges around the state to support more than 15,000 athletes in Pennsylvania.

The Northeast Polar Plunge, scheduled for Saturday at noon, costs $75 for adults and $25 for kids 13 and under.

Funds raised will cover equipment, uniform, travel expenses and more to ensure the athletes have access to free sports, health and leadership programming.

There will also be a “Plunge Town” with outdoor games and other activities.

Northeast Polar Plunge
Saturday, Jan. 25
12 p.m.
Montage Mountain
1000 Montage Mountain Rd., Scranton

The Hazleton Shaft Colliery: Dethroning Hazleton’s Industrial Era

Several organizations in the region work together to provide a series of events every February to highlight the region’s culture and educate people about Northeast Pennsylvania’s past.

A presentation Saturday afternoon will focus on Hazleton’s mining history.

Justin Emershaw, a mine engineer at Atlantic Carbon Group, will speak about Hazleton’s industrial era

Tim Novotney, a multimedia producer at WVIA, will also be there to answer questions after a screening of the WVIA Short Take, Lost Underground City Beneath Hazleton.

This event will be held at Eckley Miners Village Museum in Weatherly, Carbon County. Other events planned for the rest of the month will be held in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pottsville and Bethlehem.

Tim Novotney on Haley's Happy Hour
Tim Novotney is a multimedia producer at WVIA.

The Hazleton Shaft Colliery: Dethroning Hazleton’s Industrial Era
Saturday, Jan. 25
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Eckley Miners Village
2 Eckley Main St., Weatherly, PA

Sherma-Con Gaming Convention

Gaming worlds will collide at the Sherman Theater’s third annual Sherma-Con. Attendees will have the chance to play video games, board games and join tournaments.

Dozens of vendors and artists will be set up at the eight-hour event. There will be a cosplay contest for kids as well as intermediate and advanced levels.

Tickets are $25 for Level 1 admission and $45 for Level 2, with extra perks including a t-shirt.

Sherma-Con 2025
Saturday, Jan. 25
2 - 10 p.m.
Sherman Theater
524 Main St., Stroudsburg

Other events:

  • The Clarks Summit Festival of Ice is Friday through Sunday. Ice sculptures will be on display with the "Under the Sea" theme, and there will be live ice carving demonstrations and activities for the whole family. Carriage rides will be provided Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton will host Winterfest Saturday and Sunday. The free event will be held at the Summit Lodge, with snow games, live music and vendors. Winterfest runs from 12 to 9 p.m. both days.
Haley O'Brien is a newscast host on WVIA Radio during All Things Considered, weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. She is also WVIA's Community Engagement Reporter, and writes a weekly series titled "Eventful," featuring weekend events planned for around the region. Listen to the accompanying radio segment, Haley's Happy Hour, Thursdays at 5:44 p.m.

You can email Haley at haleyobrien@wvia.org
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