AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austinites who want to ring in the New Year with a plunge into Barton Springs will be out of luck in 2021, with officials announcing the cancellation of the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Austin Parks and Recreation officials announced the change Wednesday, in consultation with Austin Public Health officials and city leaders.
"After careful consideration of the local characteristics of the virus and related community priorities, it's been determined that this event should not proceed during Stage 4: COVID-19: Risk-Based Guidelines," the city said in a release.
Parks officials hope that the time-honored tradition will return in 2022, while urging Austinites to share their memories of prior Plunges on social media with the hashtag #polarplungeatx.
