March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 50 F

20th Annual Polar Bear Plunge expected to raise more than $2 million (PHOTOS)

2016 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics

For the 20th year, thousands of people jumped into the freezing 37 degree Chesapeake Bay. Some may call them crazy, but each of them has done their part to raise money for a good cause–Special Olympics of Maryland.

And while the plunge was the main event, the beachfront at Sand Point State Park in Annapolis was transformed into a giant festival. There was a boardwalk with arcade games, a “village” loaded with various food trucks, and the Rams Head Ice Lodge, an enclosed “tent” with plenty of Fordham and Dominion beer and live bands. This year, Hot Tub Limo and Burnt Sienna from Philadelphia kept the crowd riled up.

The Greene Turtle sponsored the VIP tent right on the beach with a bird’s eye view of the plunging. Miss Maryland and various Raven’s players were also on hand!

Of course there were plunges as well. Friday was a special day for corporate plungers, law enforcement, fire and EMS, and military. From Friday through Saturday was the Super Plunge where the truly hardy take 24 dips–one per hour into the Bay.  Super Plungers need to raid a minimum of $10,000 to participate.

And the main event–Saturday hosted 3 plunges. The Pee Wee Plunge at 11am for the little kids where they “plunged” into kiddie pools with ice, a 1pm plunge and a second wave at 3pm.

Af of this writing, the Plunge had tallied $1.5 million of a $2 million goal, but the contributions that were turned in on Plunge Day are not counted yet, and the Cool School Plunge (one of the largest fundraisers) was rescheduled until next weekend. When all is tallied it is expected that this years Plunge will raise between $2.1 and $2.3 million.  Congratulations.

There was one “incident” of note yesterday, and we have the Maryland State Police Dive team to thank for springing into action.

(Video courtesy of Brian Hopkins via: YouTube)

But as with most events in the area…if not experienced in person….a photo is the best way!

All images © 2016 Glenn A. Miller | Glenn A. Miller Photography

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