By MATTHEW LINDSEY

OGDENSBURG – Daring people will take an arctic plunge for charity into the St. Lawrence River and comedians, battle reenactments, sporting events and vendors will be featured during the “River Shiver Festival.” Feb. 14 to 22.

One of River Shiver’s most popular events, the “Polar Bear Plunge,” sponsored by the Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce and the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad returns.

“Last year spectators stood on the banks of the St. Lawrence and cheered on 19 jumpers. We all had such a great time we’re going to do it again,” said Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laura Pearson.

The plunge takes place Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Dobisky Visitor’s Center. The cost is $35 in pledges per person and children under 18 years old must have parental consent. The person with the most pledges will win $500. Prizes will be given for best costumes.

“Last year it was sunny and nice out and our plunger turnout was down from 30 people the previous year,” she said.

Once again this year the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad will cut a hole in the ice, provide divers and a safety harnesses, according to Pearson.

“We will provide a hot tub for participants for after the plunge,” Pearson said.

Hot food and drinks will be available and a 50/50 raffle will be held. Register: 393-3620 or ogdensburgny.com to download a pledge sheet.

“The proceeds benefit the chamber and rescue squad. Last year we raised $4,000,” Pearson said.

“Cupid’s Corner” will feature various vendors from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Dobisky Visitor’s Center during and after the walk/run. Confirmed vendors include Psychic Rich, Origami Owl, Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One Gifts, Scentsy, Nice Glass Hand Painted Custom Wine Glasses and MJ Candles. There will be a Chinese auction too. The event is sponsored by the Ogdensburg Area Zonta Club.

Howie’s will host an ice fishing derby Feb. 14. at Wheathouse Bay from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be hourly prizes for biggest fish, walleye and northern.

“The top prize will be $250,” according to event organizer Joe Howe.

Advance sign-ups are $25 by Feb. 7 and $30 after that. All anglers must sign in to receive a registration number the morning of the event between 5:30 and 10 a.m.

“There will be youth and adult divisions…last year around 225 people participated,” Howe said.

Awards will follow at Howie’s. Registration numbers will be used to draw door prizes and participants must be present to win.

“This is a fun event for kids and great prizes will be given out. Proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Foundation,” Howe said.

Info: 393-3669.

The second annual “Pond Hockey Classic” takes place Feb. 14 and 15 beginning at 8 a.m. each day outside the Richard Lockwood Civic Center and is presented by Coors Light.

Proceeds from the event will go towards buying a rink for events such as this, according to Mike Fennessy of the Ogdensburg Hockey League and one of the event organizers.

“When we were growing up there were outdoor hockey rinks all over the city and kids everywhere in town played hockey outdoors just for fun. We wanted to bring that back to Ogdensburg and encourage families and children to enjoy the winter and play outside” Fennessy said.

Vendors and an outdoor skating rink for families will be provided.

“Hosmer’s Marina will take care of the food and alcohol portion of the event,” Fennessy said.

The fee is $200 per team.

“There will be prizes including tickets to see the Ottawa Senators play as well as lots of Coors Light merchandise,” Fennessy said.

Info: www.ogdensburghockeyleague.com, Facebook, Mike at 408-7546 or register at Hosmer’s Marina.

Rounding out activities planned on Feb. 14 will be a “Comedy Dinner Night” with Kevin Veoli and Kirk Bogos.

The comedy show and dinner will take place at the Elk’s club on Caroline Street starting at 5 p.m. The menu will be roast prime rib or chicken marsala. The comedians hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. Dinner and the show costs $35 per person and tickets just for the comedy show are $15.

Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior/USO Fund. Call Kevin at 393-5430 after 4 p.m. for tickets.

The annual “Shiverball” kickball tournament at Father Martin Field is slated for Feb. 21 with games set to start at 8 a.m.

“Shiverball” is a co-ed kickball tournament featuring 12 teams. The games will be one-pitch mat ball. This means if the ball hits home plate in one pitch, the kicker is struck out, regardless of whether or not they chose to swing. Foul balls are counted as outs.

“It really speeds up the game so you can play double-elimination tournaments in the winter with limited light,” said event co-organizer Tim Baker.

All teams must have at least two women and two men on the field at all times.

Registration deadline is Feb. 18. Team fee is $80. All proceeds go to the St. Lawrence Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Spectator admission is free. Food and beverages will be available and music will be provided by DJ Scott Boyer.

Team sign-ups: 393-7990 after 4 p.m., 854-2556 or 393-0461

History buffs will be sure to check of “The Battle of Ogdensburg” events Feb. 21-22 featuring a battle reenactment, music from the era and a wreath laying ceremony.

Soldiers will fill City streets at 1:30 p.m. Saturday to reenact the battles that occurred in 1812.

The Winter Ball English Country Dance will be held Saturday at the Ogdensburg AmVets at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s street battle follows the first part of the Feb. 22, 1813 attack. The re-enactment begins at near the intersection of Water and Franklin, proceeds south on Franklin to Washington and then west to Caroline Street. On Caroline, the battle heads south to Ford, and turns west to end at State Street.

The next day a wreath laying ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sherriff York’s grave at Ogdensburg Cemetery.

The action continues Sunday afternoon at Lighthouse Point for the finale of the battle at 1:30 p.m., when Forsyth’s Rifles withdrew to Sacket’s Harbor. All events for the “Battle of Ogdensburg” are free.

A “Snolf” tournament to benefit the SPCA will tee off at 11 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Knights of Columbus and Father Martin Field near the Boys and Girls Club.

Entertainment and food will be available. Prizes will be awarded. Info: 394-3223 or 323-2512.

“SNOLF doesn’t fall into “River Shiver Festival” week but we wanted to include them in the list of great things to do,” Pearson said.

The Ogdensburg Lions Club will host the Polar Bear 5K Walk/Run and the newly added one-mile walk/run along Maple City Trail on Feb. 14. The registration fee is $18 and can be paid at 9 a.m. at the Dobisky Visitor’s Center. The race will start at 10 a.m.

Wilson Bickford will teach a painting class Feb. 18 at the Dobisky Visitor’s Center from 5 to 9 p.m. The $45 fee includes all supplies. Register: Cheryl at 393-3060 or City Recreation at 393-1980.

Kid’s Place activities, sponsored by the Remington Art Museum, will run Feb 16-20. The Kid’s Place will open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the mid-winter break. Tuesdays is “Toddler Time” from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays is “LunchBunch” for ages seven and under. Call Kayli at 393-2425 for more information.

The City Recreation Department will have a variety of activities all week. For details call 393-1980 or visit their Facebook page at Ogdensburg City Recreation.