Temps expected to hover around zero Saturday. Let's go for a swim.
Hundreds of people — including yours truly — have agreed to partake in an exhilarating, yet unsettling, task this weekend for the sake of adventure and an admirable cause. That's right, I'm talking about Rochester's Polar Plunge, an annual benefit for Special Olympics Minnesota.
The plunge is scheduled for Saturday 1:30 p.m. at Foster Arend Park. Just to make things interesting, the forecast is calling for a high of 4 degrees.
Already, the event's webpage shows nearly 800 people have signed up and raised a combined $124,000. Last year's event raised about $211,000.
The event is sponsored by local law enforcement. Among the notable people plunging are Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson and Minnesota Viking Marcus Sherels. Sherels, a Rochester native, is participating for his first time with the Rochester Flyers Special Olympics team.
I'll be plunging with the team Sweeeeet Emoji (I can't take credit for the name). I'm told we will be dressing up as emojis and jumping in while the DJ plays Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" (once again, not my idea).
If you do plan to head down there, here's an overview of what to bring and how to stay safe. Drinking before the event is not encouraged and intoxicated individuals will not be allowed to plunge.
So, one — at the most.
About Sean Baker: Sean is the founder and editor of the Med City Beat. Under his direction, the site has transitioned from a small news blog to one of the most widely-read publications in the city. Prior to launching the site in 2014, Sean spent about two years producing television news in Green Bay and Rochester. His office is above a brewery, so please excuse any typos. Twitter.
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(Cover photo courtesy Polar Plunge)
