In attendance, but not daring to go in the water were Mayor Dean Maxwell, who managed to fire the canon, and Police Chief "Bootleg Bonnie" Bowers. Bowers got her new nickname during the event because she was dressed as a pirate, complete with sword and golden plumbers' plunger. The event included a costume contest.
In this photo, the two people in striped clothes are members of the Anacortes Police Department team. The Sheriff's Office was well represented by Will Reichardt and several deputies wearing red jail-like clothes. They're not in this shot. There were several divers in the water just in case someone ran into trouble.
Those running in didn't stay in long. Just a few seconds before they quickly turned around and dashed back onto the rocky beach. Event organizer (and Police Officer) Janet Wilson said, after the dip, "Only my top half was cold because I was wearing shorts all morning."
The event, officially called the Polar Plunge, was the first (and now, apparently) annual event here.