Alva Review-Courier -

NEWPORT, Vt. (AP) — Plunging into a frozen lake and swimming laps may not be everyone's good time but for winter swimmers who return year after year to a northern Vermont lake near the Canadian border, there's nothing better.

The 10th annual Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival kicked off Friday with the 200-meter (218-yard) freestyle race in a narrow pool cut from the ice. But the festivities started Thursday and on Friday morning some of the 180 participants swam a lap wearing a decorated hat.

"It was amazing. It's the highlight of my year," said Andie Nelson, of Arlington, Virginia, after...