Wacky winter activity promised at Caesar Creek Polar Plunge | Events

CAESAR CREEK STATE PARK, OH (FOX19) - The Special Olympics Ohio 2012 Polar Plunge held at Caesar Creek State Park, in Waynesville, is set for Saturday, January 28. The Caesar Creek Polar Plunge, one of nine Polar Plunges scheduled in Ohio this winter, is held for the benefit of Special Olympics Ohio.

This is the second straight year for the event to be held at Caesar Creek.

Registration is now being accepted for all those courageous enough to be part of this special “Freezin’ for a Reason” fundraising campaign. Also, those who may not feel as courageous are welcome to participate by registering for the “Too Chicken to Plunge” activity. As part of the Polar Plunge experience, participants obtain a minimum $75 in monetary pledges (or $50 for students) and then agree to jump (or slowly crawl, however the case may be) into the lake at Caesar Creek to earn their pledges. To participate in “Too Chicken to Plunge,” one raises a minimum of $30 and is awarded a “Too Chicken to Plunge” T-shirt – as well the opportunity NOT to Plunge. Teams of chickens may also be formed to support favorite Plungers.

Registration information and all necessary forms are available at sooh.org or by phoning 614.239.7050.

A pre-registration party is scheduled for Friday, January 27, at Cadillac Jack’s, located near the Dayton Mall. Day-of-event registration and check-in is held from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. A Costume Contest is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. The Plunge takes place at 1:30 p.m. A Post-Plunge Party is scheduled from 2-4 p.m., also at Cadillac Jack’s.

This popular winter event is among the largest fundraisers for Special Olympics Ohio.

In addition to Caesar Creek, there are seven remaining opportunities across Ohio this winter to participate in Special Olympics Polar Plunges. A Thirsty Pony Polar Plunge in Sandusky is also scheduled for Saturday, January 28.

A special Polar Bear Plunge is scheduled Saturday, February 4, when Special Olympics Kentucky and Special Olympics Ohio come together for a combined effort in Bellevue, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.

Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio, in southeast Ohio, hosts a Plunge Saturday, February 11. Central Ohio’s Plunge is at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, in Powell, Saturday, February 18. Geneva State Park, in Geneva-on-the-Lake in northeast Ohio, hosts both a Plunge and Super Plunge Saturday, February 25.

The following weekend, March 3, there is a plunge in western Ohio at Grand Lake St. Marys, in Celina. The final Plunge of the 2012 season is March 10 at Indian Lake, in Lakeview.

Special Olympics Ohio provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for adults and children with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their own families, their peers and the community. Currently, Special Olympics Ohio serves more than 23,000 athletes throughout the state.

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