OLALLA — Hundreds of people — of all ages — will plunge Jan. 1 off the bridge into the chilly waters of Olalla Bay during the annual Polar Bear Jump.

The event is held at the Olalla Bridge across from Al’s Grocery located at 13965 Cresent Valley Road SE. This is the 31st year of the event.

Hundreds of people are expected to turnout for the New Year’s Day tradition. The firing of a ceremonial cannon, floating on a barge, will kickoff this year’s plunge for the “polar bears.”

Temperatures could be between 40-50 degrees under cloudy skies on Jan. 1, according to AccuWeather.com.

The celebration began in 1984 with a dozen jumpers and two dogs. But since then, the event has grown with hundreds of people throughout the U.S. participating in the event.

While many of the plungers will wear swimsuits, others will don a variety of costumes and other clothing.

The Olalla Community Club will have a booth offering refreshments and certificates for jumpers, along with a bonfire to warm up.