The Olcott Polar Bear Swim

02/28/2026

EVERYTHING IS A GO!

EXCEPT, due to things beyond our control, we need to cancel this year's Kids' Zone tomorrow -- :(

We will have it at our Kindergarten Roundup, which we do just before the new school year.

02/28/2026

Some assembly required.

02/28/2026

it takes days for the Town of Newfane’s team to cut out our plunge swimming hole, but we’re already!!!

Register at thepolarbearswim.org

Putting the last finishing touches on The Olcott Polar Bear Swim pool for this Sunday, March 1st! Can't wait to see all the fun costumes this year! Thanks to the Olcott Lions Club for organizing such a fun event every year!

02/28/2026

Today is International Polar Bear Day. Leading up to tomorrow, the day Polar Bear Heroes plunge at The Olcott Polar Bear Swim.

Coincidence? We think not!!!

!

Happy International from Luna and Sakari! 🐻‍❄️

We're taking the chance to celebrate these incredible animals tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 28) with plenty of happenings at the Zoo:

🐻‍❄️ 10:30 a.m. - Polar Bear Enrichment
🐻‍❄️ 11:30 a.m. - Polar Bear Keeper Talk
🐻‍❄️ 1:30 p.m. - Sea Ice Experiment in Arctic Interpretive Center
🐻‍❄️ 2:30 p.m. - Polar Bear Keeper Talk

International Polar Bear Day coincides with the important time period when polar bear moms and cubs are cozy, deep in their Arctic dens. The Buffalo Zoo is proud to support conservation and research efforts trying to save polar bears, which are considered threatened in the wild. Learn more from our friends Polar Bears International on what you can do to help ensure a future for polar bears! ❄️

02/28/2026

Thank you to Valentine’s on the lake for there wonderful support to The Olcott Lions Club and the historic polar bear swim

02/27/2026

Catch our segment on WIVB Channel 4’s Wake Up! 🎥
If you were commuting or missed it live, here’s the link:
👉 https://youtu.be/AqWUOllgT9U?si=G94WLoLdrC9K72Cc

A huge thank you to our friend and longtime supporter, Richard Leader and RL-Films, for providing footage and stills—and to all the talented local media creators who continue to lend their time and talent to help spread the word. Your efforts make a difference in promoting this beloved Western New York tradition.

And of course .org for being there!

🌊 The Polar Bear Swim happens every year on the first Sunday in March.
It’s more than a chilly dip—it’s a community tradition and a fundraiser that supports nonprofits and charitable causes across the region.

📅 Mark your calendar for next year—and guess what?
It’s not too late to register for this year’s event!
🔗 Sign up now at thepolarbearswim.org

Please like and share to help us spread the word. See you at the southern shores of Lake Ontario!
Sounds kinda tropical, doesn’t it?

Polar Bear Swim for WNY happening this weekend