SPICER - The 14th annual Polar Plunge was held by local law enforcement Saturday to raise money for the Special Olympics of Minnesota. The annual event is held near Saulsbury Beach on Green Lake as part of the Spicer WinterFest celebration. Participants, some of who were dressed in costumes, came to take the plunge into the lake, with a water temperature of 33 degrees while the air temperature was 26 degrees.
Some 224 participants jumped into the lake, raising more than $46,778 for Special Olympics from the event according to Jim Felt, Willmar Police Chief. Last year's plunge featured 234 participants and raised $58,109, according to the official Polar Plunge website.
Those who would like to donate to those that plunged Saturday may still do so online at
www.plungemn.org
.
1/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune A polar plunge participant does a back flop into Green Lake at the 14th annual Polar Plunge Saturday at Saulsbury Beach in Spicer.
2/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune Darrell Thorp, a first responder from Kandiyohi County Rescue, enjoys the water before the event starts Saturday while his fellow first responders watch at the 14th annual Polar Plunge at Saulsbury Beach in Spicer. The first responders were there to ensure participants jumping into the lake safely returned to land.
3/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune Paige Marquardt, left, and Eric Wankerl hold the American flag during the opening ceremony for the 14th annual Polar Plunge Saturday at Saulsbury Beach on Green Lake in Spicer.
4/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune Members of the MACCRAY High School National Honor Society take the plunge at the 14th annual Polar Plunge Saturday at Saulsbury Beach in Spicer.
5/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune A polar plunge participant experiences the cold after jumping into Green Lake at the 14th annual Polar Plunge Saturday at Saulsbury Beach in Spicer.
6/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune Steve Marquardt waits in the inflatable polar bear while his group members take the plunge into Green Lake Saturday at the 14th annual Polar Plunge at Saulsbury Beach in Spicer.
7/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune A group of polar plunge participants take the plunge Saturday at the 14th annual Polar Plunge at Saulsbury Beach in Spicer.
8/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune Carlee Brown, from left, Mallory Beier, Carter Monson and Autumn Appeldorn hold hands while waiting to jump into Green Lake Saturday at the 14th annual Polar Plunge at Saulsbury Beach in Spicer. The girls dressed as minions to take the plunge.
9/9: Erica Dischino / Tribune Cora Rosenquist, 7, waits to watch participants jump into freezing cold waters of Green Lake Saturday afternoon at the 14th annual Polar Plunge at Saulsbury Beach in Spicer.
Erica Dischino is a photojournalist for the West Central Tribune and Forum News Service. She grew up in northern New Jersey and has lived in the Midwest since 2017. She enjoys photographing the stories of west central Minnesota from county fairs, parades and pandemics. Feel free to contact her at edischino@wctrib.com or 320-894-8865 with your best photo ideas.
