Plunging into 2023

Participants in the Jan. 1 Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge race in and out of the Gulf of Mexico at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach. The annual event, sponsored by Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub and Grill, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton — where an after-party took place — raised $56,180 for charities, including Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition and Take Stock in Children. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

Linda Jo Klapperich of Alaska and her daughter, 2017 Miss Alaska Angelina Klapperich ring the cowbells and wish everyone an “udderly cool” new year at the Shamrock Shiver. The event was sponsored by Clancy's Irish Sports Pub and Grill, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, where an after-party took place.

Delaney McFadden, 13, and Haley Lahmen, 11 frolic Jan 1. in a brisk 62 degree Gulf of Mexico at Cortez Beach during the Shamrock Shiver event in Bradenton Beach.

A woman — identified as “Smiley” — rings in the new year in full chicken flotation. Smiley, who said she has lived on Anna Maria Island for 12 years, said she and other chicken costume-wearing friends made up a group known as “The Flocking Idiots.”

RIGHT: Mike and Christina Calantoni of Ellenton give a sharky smile Jan. 1 as they pose with daughter Ashley, son-in-law Tyler and 6-month-old Roman Seybert. The Shamrock Shiver was Roman’s first trip to the beach.

Sarala Ryherd, left, poses Jan. 1 with Kim Bailey, mom Jessica and sister Caitlyn, promoting Feeding Empty Little Tummies at the Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. Bailey, president and CEO of FELT, said she’s grateful for the contribution for the “Shiver.”