From staff reports
Frigid weather isn’t going to stop the annual Polar Bear Plunge this weekend.
In fact, two people have agreed to be "super plungers" and jump into the icy water at Foster-Arend Park every hour for 24 hours, beginning at 3 p.m. Friday.
The Polar Bear Plunge has been an annual event sponsored by Rochester and Olmsted County law enforcement to raise funds for the Special Olympics. Last year, 217 people took a dip into the frigid water and raised $52,000, according to Lt. K.C. Reed, event co-chairman.
He said he expects the number of plungers to be up significantly this year and hopes the proceeds increase as well. He said that as of Tuesday, 178 people had registered online to participate. That includes several teams from various businesses competing with other teams, such as workers from one Kwik Trip competing with workers from another Kwik Trip.
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This also is the first-annual Minnesota Super Plunge, he said. Sheriff’s deputy Stacey Iverson and sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin Torgerson have signed up to jump into the water once each hour for 24 hours. The final plunge will be immediately after the opening ceremonies of the main event at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, when the other plungers take their dips.
Registration for the plunge is at the north Whistle Binkie’s from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The plunge itself takes place at Foster-Arend Park.
Reed said first responders will be on duty at the event.
