East Tennessee Polar Plunge set for Jan. 1
December 16, 2023

Annual fundraising event on New Year’s Day helps
keep East Tennessee’s waterways beautiful

East Tennessee Polar Plunge; courtesy of Loudon County Tourism

LOUDON, TN – Visit Loudon County, in partnership with the Monroe County Tourism Department, is thrilled to host the 2024 East Tennessee Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day. All proceeds from the event will go to Keep Monroe County Beautiful to aid in efforts to protect the Tellico Reservoir.

The event will take place Jan. 1 at 12 p.m. at Tellico Lake at the Toqua Boat Ramp on the Unicoi Turnpike in Vonore, TN. Those courageous enough to participate will jump into the chilly waters for a good cause and a chance to kick off the new year with family fun!

“The East Tennessee Polar Plunge is a relatively new tradition we’ve started with Monroe County and something we look forward to every year,” said Rodney Grugin, Loudon County Chamber of Commerce President. “We would love to see this fun event continue to grow and have locals and visitors alike come out to participate.”

Participants can either register the day of from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or at the link here and receive a souvenir 2024 East Tennessee Polar Plunge long-sleeve t-shirt. Separate ticket pricing for children and adults can be found at the link, and those who register before Dec. 31 will receive $5 off their tickets.

Plunge participants are encouraged to dress up for the plunge, as they will be automatically entered into the Ruler of the Ice Costume Contest upon registration! First place will take home an awesome prize and will be crowned as the annual Ice King or Queen of the East Tennessee Polar Plunge. The costume contest will begin at approximately 11:40 a.m., and the winner will be announced right before the Polar Plunge.

For additional information on the East Tennessee Polar Plunge, including safety tips and sponsorship opportunities, go to www.visitmonroetn.com/east-tn-polar-plunge. To learn more about Loudon County, TN please visit www.visitloudoncounty.com.

About Loudon County
Loudon County, located in the eastern part of Tennessee just southwest of Knoxville, is a year-round tourism destination revered as the “Lakeway to the Smokies.” Nestled between the Tennessee River and the Great Smoky Mountains, the area boasts natural beauty, small-town charm and a relaxed atmosphere and is home to incredible outdoor amenities. Loudon County is the ultimate affordable mountain lake vacation, offering everything from unique agritourism opportunities and award-winning restaurants to breathtaking views and some of the best fishing in the state.

About Keep Monroe County Beautiful
Keep Monroe County Beautiful is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Monroe County, Tennessee, since 1994. Its mission statement is “Dedicated to promoting public awareness and interest in maintaining a clean beautiful environment.” Its key areas of focus are litter management, beautification, and educating the public about ways to keep our world clean and beautiful. KMCB has been an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. since 1994.