Polar Plunge takes off in 50-degree weather

Vikings Winterfest had to make some concessions for the distinctly unseasonable weather on Feb. 18, but the annual Polar Plunge took place just as planned at Sand Point Beach in Prior Lake.

Scores of brave plungers lined up to leap into the ice cold waters of Prior Lake, all to raise money for the Special Olympics Minnesota program. Some came alone, some came in teams of more than 100 people and some came dressed like Guy Fieri - that was specifically the "All for Jeffery" team, Marla Hopman, Misti VanDommelen, Stacy Miller and Julie Cloyd, who were taking the lead for VanDommelen's nephew, Jeffery.

"He's not an Olympian yet, but hopefully in the future," VanDommelen said.

Ian Leonard, who returned to take his traditional place at the top of the lineup, assured the crowd that even though the air was a balmy 50 degrees, the water was just above freezing.

Leonard took the plunge wearing a Big Bad Wolf getup and came back for several plunges throughout the afternoon. He was joined by, among many others, members of the Shakopee Police Department, the Prior Lake-Savage Education Association and plenty of local businesses.

By Hannah Jones