Community issues

Take the plunge: Gov. Moore joins thousands of supporters at annual Polar Bear Plunge

Ulysses Muñoz

Published 2/4/2023 7:21 p.m. EST, Updated 2/4/2023 8:11 p.m. EST

Plungers high five members of the Dive Team as they sprint into the freezing water at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. The event, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland this year. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

On one of the coldest days of the year so far, thousands of people traveled to Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis to sprint into the frigid water for the annual Polar Bear Plunge.

The event, sponsored by Maryland State Police, raises millions of dollars each year to support Special Olympics Maryland.

Plungers celebrate after sprinting into the freezing water at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. The event, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland this year.

Plungers celebrate after sprinting into the freezing water at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

A flag waves in the wind at the Polar Bear Plunge as Baltimore’s Marching Ravens perform on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. The event, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland this year.

A flag waves in the wind at the Polar Bear Plunge as Baltimore’s Marching Ravens perform on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

Plungers quickly exit the freezing water to dry off at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. The event, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland this year.

Plungers quickly exit the freezing water to dry off at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

Now in its 27th year, the event continues to grow. As of Saturday afternoon, more than $3.4 million dollars had been raised already for the 2023 Plunge Fest.

Fundraising continues until March 4, said Kira Northrop, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for Special Olympics Maryland. The group’s goal is to hit $3.5 million by that deadline.

Two people take a selfie together after exiting the freezing water at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. The event, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland this year.

Two people take a selfie together after exiting the freezing water at the Polar Bear Plunge. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

“Shorty,” with Baltimore Hoop Love, takes a photo with Jordan Miller, left, and Jessica Styers at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. The event, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland this year.

“Shorty,” with Baltimore Hoop Love, takes a photo with Jordan Miller, left, and Jessica Styers at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

Two plungers wave their flags while embracing a member of the Dive Team at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. The event, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland this year.

Two plungers wave their flags while embracing a member of the Dive Team at the Polar Bear Plunge. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

This year’s Plunge Fest started Thursday with the Cool Schools plunge, followed by the Police Plunge and Corporate Plunge Friday and ending with the Maryland Plunge on Saturday.

Over the course of those three days, 11,748 people plunged into the Chesapeake Bay, said Northrop.

A man dressed a lobster enters the costume contest at the Polar Bear Plunge on 2/4/23 at Sandy Point State Park. The event, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland this year.

A man dressed a lobster enters the costume contest at the Polar Bear Plunge. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

Gov. Wes Moore participates in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis.

Gov. Wes Moore participates in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland. (Steve Ruark for Special Olympics Maryland/Special Olympics Maryland)

Gov. Wes Moore, from left, Delegate C.T. Wilson of Charles County, Special Olympics athlete Annu Singleton, of Baltimore, and Special Olympics athlete Adam Hays, of Frederick, participate in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis.

Gov. Wes Moore, from left, Delegate C.T. Wilson of Charles County, Special Olympics athlete Annu Singleton, of Baltimore, and Special Olympics athlete Adam Hays, of Frederick, participate in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland. (Steve Ruark for Special Olympics Maryland/Special Olympics Maryland)

Two familiar faces in the crowd of thousands Saturday included newly inaugurated Gov. Wes Moore, along with his Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. They hopped in the water along with the first group of plungers at 11 a.m.

”We did it, we did it!” Moore shouted on his way out of the Bay with Miller before splashing himself in the face with another handful of salty ice-water.

ulysses.munoz@thebaltimorebanner.com