2023 Artic Alligator Plunge

The Whiteville Junior Woman's Club held their third annual Artic Alligator Plunge at the Lake Waccamaw State Park on Saturday, March 4. The event raised over $4,000 to help the organization with charitable projects, scholarships for local high school students, beautification and conservation projects, and serving the needs of the local community.

This year, some familiar faces jumped into the chilly water in the name of charity. Contestants included Whiteville Fire Department Lieutenant Marquise Blanks; Whiteville High School baseball coach Turner Brown; Kent Frazier of Total Health and Rehab; West Columbus High School principal Ronna Gore; Chef Sarah Gore; Whiteville Police Officer Josh Harris; Sport-A-Cut barber shop owner Heath Long; Columbus County Chamber of Commerce director Joan McPherson; News Reporter photographer and writer Grant Merritt; and Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers.

Joan McPherson won the competition and also took home the title for 'Most Spirited' while wearing an alligator costume to pay tribute to the plunge's namesake and to the area where the event was held. Though McPherson won the right to stay dry, she still waded out into the water to get wet with the rest of the contestants.