Stone Harbor Shiver ‘Our Best Yet’
Plungers running into the ocean.
Hundreds of Irish and wannabe Irish descended to Stone Harbor for the eighth annual Stone Harbor Shiver, held on St. Patrick’s Day this year. The ocean plunge featured 500 registered participants, many decked in green and gold and others still displaying Eagles pride among a variety of costumes. The raised money in support of Family Promise of Cape May County and the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
“This year’s entire Shiver weekend was our best yet,” said Marnie Lengle, the event coordinator. “Friday night’s pre-Shiver party and fundraiser was packed; our ticketed and live auctions were a great success, and everyone had a wonderful time. Saturday’s festivities were epic – from our Shiver King, Tim Clay, dressed in an exact replica of Philadelphia Eagle Jason Kelce’s Mummer costume, to the fantastic Fralinger String Band leading the parade, it was a blast.”
On Friday night, the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor hosted the pre-Shiver fundraiser featuring a buffet dinner, a live auction, and music DJ’d by local favorite Sean Loosh. The auction featured prizes including restaurant gift cards, clothing, and wine and spirits, and the live auction featured dinner for six at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor during the Festival of Lights and a house power washing from presenting sponsor D.L. Miner Construction & Property Management, among other items.
“This was by far the largest turnout we’ve ever had for the Shiver,” said Peter Miner, general manager of the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor and one of the founding committee members for the event. “It’s such a fun weekend, and it’s great to see the entire community come together in the off-season for a great cause.”
Participants enjoyed an early start to Shiver morning with the annual Kegs and Eggs Party on Saturday at Fred’s Tavern featuring breakfast sandwiches and drink specials.
At noon, the whimsical sounds of the Fralinger String Band led the spirited parade down 96th Street, also featuring Pat Bridgeman and his antique fire truck, and a number of event sponsors including 7 Mile Brewery, Sound Advice, the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor and more. The Stone Harbor Fire Department escorted Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour, dressed as a leprechaun on the rescue personal watercraft. This year’s Shiver King and Queen –
Dr. Timothy Clay and his wife, Dr. Rose Clay – waved to the parade crowd from the ice throne created by Sea Isle Ice, and posed for pictures at the Stone Harbor Women’s Civic Club. The queen was dressed as an Irish princess, and the king, who is commodore of the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, sported a replica of the Mummers costume memorably worn by Kelce for the Super Bowl parade.
During the costume contest, creativity and charisma took center stage as participants wowed the crowd in their costumes. Winners took home trophies in several categories: Best Name, Pot O’ Gold; Best Team Costume: Cruella & the 94th Street Dalmatians; Best Team Overall Performance: Lucky Charms; and Best Individual Shiver: Stone Harbor Snow Globe. This year’s Youngest SHhhiverer was 4-month-old Josephine Tomlin and the Oldest SHhhiverer was Nick Novak at 84.
Following the contest, it was time to plunge! Hundreds ran into the chilly Atlantic Ocean and even went back in for second and third dips.
In true Shiver fashion, many headed back to Fred’s Tavern for the post-Shiver party while warming up with food and drink specials and entertainment.
“Big thanks to all of our sponsors, our king and queen, Tim and Rose Clay, our wonderful charity and volunteers from Family Promise of Cape May County, our Stone Harbor Chamber member volunteers, including Yacht Club of Stone Harbor’s Pete Miner and Jim Hand of Fred’s Tavern and their staffs,” said Lengle. “We’re already looking forward to next year.”
Save the date for the 2019 Stone Harbor Shiver on Saturday, March 16.
