PHILIPPI — The 20th Polar Plunge by the Barbour River Rats (BRR) will be at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026 under the west end of the Philippi Covered Bridge.

Anyone with a sense of adventure is invited to join this special episode of the BRR Polar Plunge. As always, there are no fees or membership requirements; however, pledges and donations for the Barbour County Emergency Squad are appreciated.

This event will be dedicated in honor of Paul Andrew Bennett, who passed away on June 5 of this year.

The first BRR Polar Plunge took place on Jan. 1, 2007. It never would have happened if not for Paul Bennett. Paul was one of the original 10 who did the plunge.

The other charter members who participated in the first BRR Polar Plunge were Bob Higgins, Rod Stemple, Dennis Fisher, Jason Rine, Zane Deem, Kent Smith, Ed Larry and Sam Muncy, the self-appointed president of BRR.

Bennett