Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxMaryland State Police hosts its 17th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland. Friday is a smaller plunge event aimed at schools.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA safety diver brought his own floatation device along for the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park. The event has raised an estimated $19 million for Special Olympics Maryland over the past 15 years.
David Hobby / Baltimore SunDressed as a scantily clad Darth Vader, Ed Griffin, of Reisterstown, runs into the Chesapeake Bay during his first ever Polar Bear Plunge. The air was 60 degrees, but the water was a less inviting 37 degrees for the tenth annual event, which drew large crowds due in part to the unseasonably warm weather.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamKailey Houck,11, dressed as a banana, and her gorilla father Kevin, of Eldersburg, are among the thousands who took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunChris Miller of Elderburg uses skis while he takes the plunge.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunRavens' mascot Poe and some of the Ravens' cheerleaders also took the plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxAndrew Brow dressed as a penguin, a student at UMBC doing the plunge with friends from Bowie H.S. Maryland State Police hosts its 17th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Monica Lopossay / Baltimore SunEvery year for seven years Jim Emery is the first one into the Bay and the last out. Thousands turned out for the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo bt Kenneth K. LamPlungers get psych up before taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park. The event has raised an estimated $19 million for Special Olympics Maryland over the past 15 years.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA costumed plunger get out of the cold water after a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park. The event has raised an estimated $19 million for Special Olympics Maryland over the past 15 years.
JIM WATSON, AFP/Getty ImagesParticipants rush from the cold water of the Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Point State Park during the 15th Annual MSP Polar Bear Plunge. Participants take a dip into the Chesapeake Bay to raise money for Special Olympics Maryland.
Lloyd Fox, The Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA flip-flop that was left on the snow covered sand at Sandy Point State Park after one of the plunges of the 15th Annual MSP Polar Bear Plunge 2011 Plungefest.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Scott Calvert, The Baltimore SunKeaton Naff and Enika Selby, both 19, of Philadelphia pose for photograph before the Polar Bear Plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamZach Haynie, 15, of Seberna Park, dressed in a hula dancer outfit for the costume contest during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThousands took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Scott Calvert, The Baltimore SunMelanie Torre & Robert Mazzullo & Amanda Thompson all of Kent Island pose for a photograph before the Polar Bear Plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamDarth Vader is among the thousands who took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, The Baltimore SunThousands of people took the plunge this afternoon as the Maryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamTwo costumed plungers race out of the water after taking a dip into the cold Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA plunger took a dive into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxPolice officer Barbara Natoli of the Montgomery County Police and Cpl. Chris Peck of their Rockville City Police during their plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamIt's a wrap, with a towel, for 2-year-old Lucy Gannon, of Millersville, after she and her family took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the first "Family Plunge" of the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunThousands took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park. The event has raised an estimated $19 million for Special Olympics Maryland over the past 15 years.
Monica Lopossay / Baltimore SunJason Lamb rushes out of the freezing bay water shouting "its cold, its cold, I can't believe how could that its". Thousands turned out for the annual Polar Bear Plunge, but this year participants went in at their own pase instead of the traditional mass group charge into the Bay.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun photoThe Super Plunge event kicks off Polar Bear Plunge, and includes plunges for law enforcement and corporate participants.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxMaryland State Police hosts its 17th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA costumed plunger gets ready to take a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunPolar Bear Plungers show their spirit.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamPlungers get psyched-up before taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThousands took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunRavens' mascot Poe took the plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamPlungers pose for group pictures before taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore SunGov. Martin O'Malley, (left) with others, react to the chill of the day and the water in the Chesapeake Bay after he and thousands other ran into the Chesapeake Bay at noon to benefit Maryland's Special Olympics. The was during the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore SunThe 3 p.m. plunge of the 14th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park was cancelled due to the cold weather. A group of die-hard plungersfrom the U.S. Naval Academy went into the cold water anyway despite the State Police trying to close the beach.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxMembers of the Maryland State Police hold up Joe Flacco faces while taking their plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA plunger high fives a safety diver in waist deep water of the cold Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamGordon Bennett III, center, of Kent Island, carries his sons, Gordon IV, 4, left, and Brooks, 1, to the water's edge before taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park. The boys did not take the plunge.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA plunger races out of the cold water after taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunKatelyn Helmbright of Hampstead wins the costume contest.
Lloyd Fox, The Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lamina Jennings, left, and Lauren Gilmartin, both of Frederick, race out of the water after taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThe 15th anniversary of the MSP Polar Bear Plunge 2011 Plungefest at Sandy Point State Park to benefit the Maryland Special Olympic. Taylor Layman, right, and Bel Air Middle Schoolmate Emily Beyers, both 12, try to stay warm before taking the plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThe Ravens Roost 102 is the group winner of the costume contest during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Monica Lopossay / Baltimore SunKatrina Marsh grabs the mask of her chicken suit once in the chilly Bay water as newly made friend Walt Podles handles the chill a little better.Thousands turned out for the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThomas Brockett, 3, of Severna Park, quickly remove his toe after taking a quick dip in the Pee-Wee Plunge pool with his father Warren during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA plunger poses for a photographer before taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunHolly Hall (from left), Mamie Murray and Ann Green of Annapolis celebrate Green's 60th birthday by taking the plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA Polar Bear Plunger races out of the cold water as others race in during the one o'clock plunge into the Chesapeake Bay.
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore SunBaltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, left, walks with other plungers on the snow covered beach on-the-way to take a plunge in the cold Chesapeake Bay as part of the 14th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park. The 3 p.m. public plunge was cancelled due to the cold weather.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamViking plungers Trudi Martell, left, of Sperryville, Va., and her fther Randy Spires, of Waldorf, Md., took part in the costume contest during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
JIM WATSON, AFP/Getty ImagesParticipants waits on the snow covered beach at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland, January 29, 2011, during the 15th Annual MSP Polar Bear Plunge. Participants take a dip into the Chesapeake Bay to raise money for Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamDelaney Mostoller, 4, of hanover, Pa., keeps warm before taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay with her parents during the first "Family Plunge" of the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun Kenneth K. LamSarah Peck, of Ft. Meade, shivers in the cold while waiting to take a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamJennifer King, right, of Pasadena, and her fellow Ravens Roost 102 are among the thousands plungers taking a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamA plunger dressed as a hula dancer is among the thousands who took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunPolar Bear Plungers show their spirit.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThousands took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamCadets of the 136th class of the Maryland State Police enter the cold Chesapeake bay water during the 15th Anniversary of the MSP Polar Bear Plunge 2011 Plungefest at Sandy Point State Park to benefit the Maryland Special Olympics.
Monica Lopossay / Baltimore SunAnna Gloth braved the freezing waters of the Chesapeake bay for a few seconds before emerging during the Annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThousands including 7-year-old Hannah Lucas-Dreiss, left, of Baltimore, and her mother Sara, took a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park. The event has raised an estimated $19 million for Special Olympics Maryland over the past 15 years.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunSome of the Ravens' cheerleaders also took the plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxMaryland State Police hosts its 17th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamCostumed plungers shiver in the cold while waiting to take a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamMonique Cartier, left, and mother Shirley, of Bel Air, both are members of the Marching Ravens Band's Flag line, dressed as Bi-polar bears for the costume contest before the one o'clock plunge into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxMelanie Karolenko and Julia Morrison students at Maryvale Prep. race out of the water after after their plunge. Maryland State Police hosts its 17th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland. Friday is a smaller plunge event aimed at schools.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamKatelyn Helmbright, of Hampstead, dressed as a swimming polar bear, won the individual costume contest during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore SunShown are some of the thousands of people that ran into the Chesapeake Bay at noon to benefit Maryland's Special Olympics.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxLukas Bastien of Wootton H.S. wears a horse mask while he runs into the bay for the plunge. Maryland State Police hosts its 17th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun photoThe Super Plunge event kicks off Polar Bear Plunge, and includes plunges for law enforcement and corporate participants.
Monica Lopossay / Baltimore SunChrissy Quirk and her daughter Bridget Whited, both school teachers, try and compose themselves are jumping in to the freezing waters of the Chesapeake bay during the Annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxStudents from Calvert Hall H.S. get ready for their plunge.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamTwo plungers shiver in the cold while waiting to take a dip into the Chesapeake Bay during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxMaryland State Police hosts its 17th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamJames MacArthur, of Baltimore, emmerges from the cold water after a complete submersion in the Chesapeake Bay during the 15th annual plunge.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunMaryland State Police host the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Sandy Point State Park to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThe 15th Anniversary of the MSP Polar Bear Plunge 2011 Plungefest at Sandy Point State Park to benefit the Maryland Special Olympic. Bella Ryb, 10, of Clarksville, sports a Plunge 2011 facde painting before she takes a plunge in the colld water of the Chesapeake bay. This is the second year she has taken a plunge.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
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Maryland State Police hosts its 17th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland. Friday is a smaller plunge event aimed at schools.
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Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
It’s time to take the plunge with Pauly D. Relax, now, because I’m not talking about moving to New Jersey or having to bunk down between J-Wow and Sammi Sweetheart. What I’m talking about is the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Bare it all – or maybe leave something on – for the “coolest” event this side of the ice floe. Did I mention that the Chesapeake Bay is close to freezing over this winter? Still, thousands will likely show up for the plunge, a fundraiser for the Maryland Special Olympics that’s in its 15th year. Last year, some 15,000 hardy folks took at least a quick dip in the frigid waters.
Did I mention that Pauly D will be there? That’s right. The Maryland coast will get a taste of the Jersey Shore when Pauly D performs at the Rams Head Ice Lodge. He’s not the only celebrity — Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is also expected to join the fun.
The plan: To participate, you have to raise at least $50 in donations. So get busy doing that today as well as registering online. If you just want to watch, there’s a huge heated festival tent for the kids and those who just aren’t that cool. But there’s more fun under the tent with vendor booths, live music, food, carnival amusements, sandcastle building and more.
Pauly D starts spinning tunes at 12:30 p.m., so plan to take the plunge earlier so you don’t miss a minute of the fist-pumping fun. There are a limited number of “Ultimate Plunge VIP” packages that offer a close-up “meet and greet” with the “Jersey Shore” star.
The details: Plungefest: Polar Bear Plunge 2011, Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis. Admission is free for spectators. Plungers must raise $50 in pledges.
Please note that the Polar Bear Plunge is now an alcohol-free event. “Alcohol will not be sold at the Plunge, nor will alcohol be condoned as part of the spirited tailgating that takes place prior to the charge into the Chesapeake Bay,” organizers said in announcing the new alcohol policy. Also, no pets are allowed.
So, go for the fun, stay for Pauly D and skip the juice.
For more information, go to http://www.plungemd.com/index.php or call 410-789-6677, ext. 503.
