Now in its sixth year, the Festival kicks off with a robust Hat Competition, followed by competitive free style 25, 50, 100, and 200 meter swims as well as 25 meter breast stroke and butter fly events and a 4 x 50 Relay to finish the weekend. The 25-meter, two-lane pool is the only winter swim pool of its type, cut in the ice in all of the Americas. It has attracted swimmers from all over North America, as well as South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Latvia, Great Britain, Russia, and Finland. This is no "plunge." Swimmers must train and qualify for the distances they choose to swim.