Cold Day at the Penguin Plunge 2014

Yes, it was a COLD day!!  It was 5 degrees when the Penguin Plunge started in Whitefish, MT.  But there were a lot of plungers with big, warm hearts -- to be jumping into freezing water for the Special Olympics.  This is an annual event and this year it raised almost $31,000. 

This year's theme was "Viva Las Vegas" and there were a few "Elvis" costumes, and many plungers sporting "bling".  One group even did a high stepping dance before taking the plunge.  It is fun for all -- particularly the spectators. 

Oh yeah.....Elvis is in the house!!

While the plungers are the main focus of this event, it is part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival.  So we have "Royalty" plus the other characters that go along with the Plunge and the legend of the carnival (see the post from January 11, 2014).  The Royalty consists of King Ullr and his Queen of the Snows, The Duchess of Lark, and a Prince and Princess (and unfortunately for these two, they plunge every year).

The Whitefish Winter Carnival "Royalty"

And along with the legend, we have other characters -- a fierce band of snowmen called "Yeti's" who attempt to kidnap the Queen, and generally cause chaos and general harassment.

This fierce "Yeti" appears to have been collecting pins from the Olympics

"Just where is that Queen?  You head that way and I'll head this way....."

And while the Penguins are not a part of the Carnival legend, it is, after all, a PENGUIN Plunge.

HEY.....would you mind getting that horn out of my ear?

Of course, safety is of paramount importance.  And we want to make sure all the brave plungers make it out of the freezing water safely.  So there are divers and many brave rescue firefighters who stand in the water and help the people out. 

One of the two divers, with a rescue rope attached

There are awards given for the plunger with the most pledges, the team that raises the most money, the largest team (which always goes to the group that wears the strange masks -- and I have pictures), the best costume, etc. 

Through my pictures, I plan to give my own awards.......and the winner is......

THE BEST VEGAS DANCE AWARD

In keeping with the "Viva Las Vegas" theme, this team attempted to look like show girls.  My favorite part is the fishnet stockings the men are wearing (you might not be able to see those).  But they attempted a "high kick" dance before plunging into those icy waters. 

Attempting to look like a Vegas chorus line, we have feather boa's and fishnet stockings

Get those legs up there guys!!  I'll give it a 5.3 score. 

And regardless of how high you kick -- you must PLUNGE!!

THE BEST ATTEMPT TO RUN ACROSS THE WATER WITHOUT GETTING WET AWARD

There's always one in every crowd who wants to say they plunged -- without plunging!!  And she even wore her tutu.  Admirable try.

 

Run, run, run.....and maybe you won't get wet.....

NOT!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SMARTEST PLUNGE OF THE DAY AWARD

Why take a chance of going under that water and having to be saved?  Just jump right into the arms of the rescue person.  SMART!!  

 

She looked right at this rescue man and said "catch me"

Undoubtedly the "happiest" face of the day

THE SORRIEST LOSER OF THE DAY AWARD

A Denver Bronco's fan -- need I say more?

 

I guess after the poor showing by the Bronco's, this fan decided to punish himself by plunging

And how nice.....he brought a friend

Go Bronco's fan.....Go!!!

THE BEST "OMG,  I ACTUALLY PLUNGED" FACE AWARD

We have a tie.  There were some amazing faces coming out of the water.  Did you really not think it would be freezing?  These are adults, and they are responsible for their choices.  But I felt very sorry as parents actually let small children jump into that water.  Really.....what were they thinking?  

OMG!!  It really is cold. 

Yes.....this poor little girl is crying.  Thank goodness this brave rescue worker gets her out of the water quickly.

THE CUTEST COUPLE EVER AWARD

There were a lot of teams, but these guys really stood out -- at least the blond did.  Getting into the spirit, they had a cardboard, life-size Elvis poster with them (not shown).  Plunge baby, plunge!!

Not sure how this costume is "Vegas", but it should have STAYED in Vegas

Is that a cry of joy?  Or a cry of "OMG, it's freezing".

THE "TOO CHICKEN TO PLUNGE" AWARD

Actually, there is a "too chicken to plunge" category.  If you really don't want to jump into the water, you can still gather pledges to help the Special Olympics -- and you don't have to get wet!  I think this plunger was suppose to be a chicken, although it looks a lot like a bald eagle.  Oh well.....they showed up, and then walked off.  SMART CHICKEN!!

OMG!!  OMG!!  Fooled you....I'm NOT jumping.

The Eagle/Chicken took time to say "hi" to the kids standing in front of me.

So a good time was had by all.  COME TO MONTANA -- yes, this is how we spend our winters.  You've got to have some fun if you live in the snow.