Lewes Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 3 to raise money for Special Olympics Delaware

One of Delaware’s largest fundraising events - the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, presented by Wawa and Comcast - is set for 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 3, in Rehoboth Beach.

The plunge has grown each year, from 1992 when 78 plungers raised $7,000 to last year’s effort of 3,685 Bears raising more than $650,000. Since its inception, the plunge has raised more than $6.15 million.

At the event, thousands of Bears will take the chilly dip into the Atlantic Ocean, raising money for Special Olympics Delaware’s year-round program of sports training, athletic competition and related programs for more than 3,500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Rehoboth Beach hosts a weekend-long Plunge Festival (Feb. 1-3) that includes several Saturday activities: Pooch Plunge (11 a.m.-12 p.m.), Ice Cream Throwdown (12-5 p.m.), 5K Run to the Plunge (1 p.m.), restaurant chili contest (3-6 p.m.) and ice sculpting contest (judging at 1:30 p.m.).

Restaurants and retailers throughout the Rehoboth Beach area have teamed up with Special Olympics Delaware to provide registered Bears with special discounts and activities throughout the weekend.

“Our Polar Bears continue to support this fabulous event year after year,” said Ann Grunert, executive director of Special Olympics Delaware. “And based on our record numbers each year, they also continue to recruit their friends to join them. This event truly is family friendly, and the perfect way to give back to the community and support such a worthy cause.”

More information on the plunge and all weekend events can be found at www.plungeDE.org.