GRANT AUSTIN TAYLOR" 11AM @POLAR PLUNGE

6 TO 9TH STREETS
The festival area opens at 10am with the actual plunge happening at 2:30pm.

Featuring Sand Sculptures, ice carving, music, costume contests, children's enterainment and more

to benefit the Special Olympics
In comparison, last year, the 16th annual Polar Plunge raised more than $900,000 for Special Olympics Virginia and more than 3,500 chilled souls took the plunge. Because of this generous support, Special Olympics Virginia is able to provide year-round training and sports programs for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the state of Virginia.

This year, help us reach our one million dollar Plunge fundraising goal and sign up to plunge today!

Awards

Awards will be given in the following categories so get your competitive side in gear!

* Person raising the most money
* Team raising the most money in each division
* Team with the most plungers

Costume Contests

Part of what makes the Polar Plunge Winter Festival so ridiculously fun is the costume contest! It is one of the best parts of the plunge regardless of whether you are a participant or an on-looker! The fun is the same!! The costume contest has four categories: male, female, youth and group. To join in the costume contest, just come down to the main tent on the beach and look for the contest registration table. Registration is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If watching the craziness is more your style, then be under the main tent at 1:15 to help the judges decide the winners!

A few simple rules:

When you register, you must be in costume. The judges are already starting to size you up!!!
Your costume must be in good-taste and lawful! (Good taste is determined by the judges so you have some leeway but if you push it too much the local police department might end up with the final say, and that we would like to avoid)
New for 2009 is the "BOOGIE DOWN THE BOARDWALK". Join us at Noon for the parade of costumes down the Boardwalk! Get in your costume and meet us at noon at 6th street to show off your creativity!!!

Costume contest winners will be announced at the conclusion of the contest. The winners of the Mega Office Furniture Extreme Team Challenge and the individual who raised the most money will be announced just prior to the plunge. All other team awards will be posted on the Plunge Web site by Sunday morning so we can ensure the accuracy of the money count.

Frequently Asked Questions


How many Polar Plunges have there been?
Special Olympics Virginia's first plunge was in 1993, which makes the upcoming plunge Polar Plunge XVI! Through the years, the Polar Plunge has raised close to $4 million for Special Olympics Virginia, with more than 20,000 chilled souls taking the plunge! Last year alone, more than 3,500 plungers braved the water, raising more than $900,000! This year, help us reach our one million dollar Plunge fundraising goal and sign up to plunge today!

Who can plunge?
Anyone can plunge -- young and old. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian will need to sign your waiver form.

How do I register for the Polar Plunge?
New for 2009 is the option to register online! Click here to register online.

What's the minimum donation required?
$100 in donations allows you the honor and privilege of plunging with the thousands of other plungers -- it also will get you a nifty sweatshirt and some other goodies (and of course, plunger bragging rights!). For $250 you’ll receive the new Polar Plunge Towel in addition to the sweatshirt and various goodies. Donations of $600 will get you the sweatshirt, towel, and a free room at one of our Plunger Friendly Hotels either Feb. 6 or 7. Donations of $1,000 or more will get you all the above, plus a great gift that will be shipped directly to you (gifts vary per donation level in this case).