Tri-Cities Polar Plunge funds WA Special Olympics athletes. It’s postponed due to weather
The sudden snow and winter weather in eastern Washington has had numerous impacts. From pass updates and local collisions to traffic changes and school delays, most people are being impacted by the storm in some way.
Unfortunately, some events are canceled or postponed due to the weather. One such example is the 2024 Polar Bear Plunge, originally scheduled for Jan. 13, now pushed to March 16.
“Rescheduling is not ideal, but we’re optimistic that it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise,” said Rebecca Hummer, Senior Marketing Manager for Special Olympics Washington, in an email to the Herald.
Tri-Cities Polar Bear Plunge and party
Special Olympics Washington has been bringing the Polar Bear Plunge to Tri-Cities for years. Asking participants to “get cold for a cause,” the annual tradition raises money for state Special Olympics athletes.
The postponed 2024 plunge means there is more time to sign up and take part. You can sign up as an individual or as a group. After paying to sign up, you have to raise $50 in order to secure a slot to plunge.
Take the plunge, raise some funds and potentially earn prizes like airline vouchers and pizza party gift cards.
Last year, Tri-Cities had the top individual earners in the state. The top three earners brought in $11,128, $10,812 and $2,564 in fundraiser donations. In comparison, the top earner in Seattle raised $2,018.
Whether you jump or not, you can sign up to attend the beach party, which will include DJs, beach games, hot tubs, food trucks, costume contests and more.
Why postpone the Polar Bear Plunge?
The plunge was postponed out of an abundance of caution, as a winter storm is forecast for over the weekend.
But isn’t the point to jump in the cold? What causes a raincheck?
“The cold weather is ideal, and really the colder the better – BUT, there is a happy medium between the cold itself and the cold when it is mixed with rain and snow,” Hummer stated. “The parameters that forced us to reschedule was the danger of having volunteers, participants, vendors, et cetera traveling to the event when it may not be safe to be on the road.”
The travel aspect was what inevitably caused the postponement, not the temperature forecast. The organization has strict guidelines for responses to temperature.
Dock jumping is only allowed when the forecast shows 20 degrees and up. Between 10 and 19 degrees, only beach plunges are allowed. If the forecast for the time of event is below 10 degrees, the plunge is postponed.
Why reschedule for March? Why not February?
Hummer said it would have been preferable to reschedule for February, but that’s easier said than done. With so many volunteers and volunteer groups, plus vendors, dive and rescue and other groups, many people are included in the decision. Taking into account the other plunges planned across the state in that time, it wasn’t possible to reschedule before March.
Will the Beach Party still take place as planned, just later?
The Beach Party at Columbia Point Marina Park, now scheduled for March 16, will include all the same features as originally planned.
9 a.m.: Registration opens
10-10:30 a.m.: Food trucks open
11:15 a.m.: Costume contests begin
11:30 a.m.: Program begins
Noon: Plunges and hot tub dips
