Visit Granbury, Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) challenged the Granbury community, civic organizations, charitable organizations, and brave individuals to help kick-off the Winter Guest Tourism Season (January – February) by jumping into the cold waters of Lake Granbury on Saturday, January 4th at City Beach Park — and jump they did!

The new annual event and friendly competition saw a large group of 209 registered participants plus many spectators. The event was sponsored by the Granbury Area Lodging Association and Visit Granbury (City of Granbury) along with several corporate sponsors including KHITS 95.5, Hood County News, JR Spas, Walmart, Home Depot, Holiday Inn Express, and Hilton Garden Inn, among many others.

Funds raised from the $10 registration fee (less the cost of the medals) along with an added $1,000 prize generously provided by the lodging association will be presented to the winning 501C3 organization that signed up the largest number of participants in the very near future. The winner was Second Chance Farms who signed up 50 participants. Each participant registered was able to list their preferred charity and add to that teams count.

“We are so excited to present Second Chance Farms with a check to kick start their fundraising year,” said Tammy Dooley, Director, City of Granbury Convention & Visitors Bureau – Visit Granbury, “We were so proud of all the charities who competed including the other top three, Forward Training Center, Tough Enough to Care, and Mission Granbury. What dedication to their organization!”

Numerous participants dressed in costumes and awards were presented:

Contest Winners

Oldest Participant – Julia Pannell

Farthest Traveled – Jennifer Parker (Houston)

Best Granbury Costume – Yvonne Raffini

Best Costume – Lori Vale

Door Prize Winners

Patio Heater – Randy Johnson

Patio Heater – Wes Nolley

Carriage Ride – Patsy Hurd

Inflatable Spa – Rudy Obina

Top Four Charities Represented

1.         Second Chance Farm – 50

2.         Forward Training – 26

3.         Tough Enough to Care – 24

4.         Mission Granbury – 21

Each participant (up to the first 200) received a souvenir Lake Granbury Goosebump Jump 2020 medal and custom towel. After participants jumped into the lake at the Granbury City Beach Park the event continued with free hot cocoa, coffee, cookies all enjoyed in the warmth of the Hilton Garden Inn lobby complete with outside patio heaters and a JR Spa’s hot tub.

Dooley added, “The Goosebump Jump was created to bring awareness to the Winter Guest Tourism Season in Granbury. This is a time when hotels, restaurants and attractions offer special discounts and packages and increase guest benefits to incentivize visitors to come to Granbury in January and February.”

“We are always looking ahead…and now our focus will be on Spring Break packages inviting families to Granbury to enjoy our exciting city and take fun excursions in our surrounding region,” she continued.

Plans are already underway for the second annual Goosebump Jump. Save the date for Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. Online registration will begin Nov. 1, 2020.

Learn more about Winter Guest deals at www.visitgranbury.com/winterguest.