GAINESVILLE
Polar Bear Plunge
The Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club holds its annual Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Lanier, where the bravest — or craziest — can jump into the chilly water. (If you ever thought about participating in this wacky New Year’s Day event, 2016 may be your best bet: The unusually warm weather might just mean the plunge will be a lot more bearable than in colder winters.) For the 19th year in a row, jumpers are invited to dive in, by themselves or with friends and family. Along with bragging rights, participants will be rewarded quickly with chili and hot chocolate. Spectators are welcome, and there’s no charge to watch the fun and snap photos of the plunge. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume, the biggest splash and the youngest and oldest jumpers. Show up at 10:45 a.m. for same-day registration.
Noon. Jan. 1. $30 per person; $90 for a family of four. The Boathouse at Clarks Bridge Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-287-7888, lckc.org.
PEACHTREE CITY
Craft workshop for kids
Love the idea of crafting with your kids, but don’t have the necessary supplies or know-how? Home Depot’s kids workshops provide plenty of both. The chain’s Peachtree City location will hold a workshop during which kids can get hands-on experience building a spinning box toy. After they’ve put it together, they can deck out their new creation in Kung Fu Panda stickers and take it home. For all their hard work, participants also will receive a free workshop apron, a completion certificate and a commemorative pin. Other stores offer similar workshops; check the website for details.
9 a.m.-noon. Jan. 2. Free. Home Depot, 2715 Highway 54, Peachtree City. 678-364-0163, workshops.homedepot.com.
ROSWELL
Creative Constellations
The experts at the Chattahoochee Nature Center invite everyone to take a short break from turning over rocks and examining leaves, and instead, check out what’s happening overhead. The Creative Constellations program offers participants from age 6 up the chance to explore the night sky inside Starlab, the center’s inflatable planetarium. See what’s on display, from planets and nearby stars to constellations far, far away. Two Starlab sessions will be held, each lasting about 25 minutes.
1 p.m. Jan. 2. Free with the cost of admission ($6-$10). Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, chattnaturecenter.org.
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