Sundays in My City/Weekly Winners: Polar Plunge!

Sundays in My City is a weekly photo meme hosted by the lovely, post-partum Unknown Mami. Stop by her place for more cultural displays :) And visit Lotus to see stunning photography from near and far.

Yesterday, in Green Bay, the annual "Polar Plunge" to benefit Special Olympics took place. (Yes, people in Green Bay know how to have fun in the winter, even when football season ends! :)

For the Plunge, teams collect donations in exchange for taking a dip in frigid waters. On this day, the outside temperature was in the upper teens. A large hole was cut in the ice on a local swimming hole, and teams of crazy people were not in short supply.

This was my first time observing The Plunge, and in spite of frozen toes and fingers, it was very entertaining! There was quite a variety of personalities in each of the teams, but costumes appeared to be the rule for experienced plungers; that, and the "bring a friend" philosophy....

These kind souls wore wetsuits and hung out in the water for hours, giving assistance

to those who became momentarily confused/paralyzed/traumatized (imagine that!) after plunging.

Kyle and a couple of fraternity brothers decided to get involved this year.

As newbies, they forgot costumes, but as you can see, that was the last thing on their minds.

Ready...(yes, that's snow)

Set....

Go!

[insert huh-huh-huh-huh-huh and teeth-chattering sound effects here]

Doesn't that look refreshing?!

In case the photos didn't quite capture enough of the fun for you, here's the video:

They had a great time and plan to do it again next year.

In case there is any doubt, NO, I will not be joining them (at least not in the water).