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It’s 2019 Polar Bear Plunge Weekend in Coastal Delaware!

January 29, 2019

The middle of winter obviously isn’t the busiest time of the year here at the Delaware and Maryland beaches, but one event that brings thousands of people to the shores of Rehoboth Beach every February is coming up this weekend.

Actually called the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge (because that’s where it originated before becoming the largest annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Delaware), the 2019 craziness is scheduled for this weekend, with the actual Plunge taking place on Sunday afternoon.

If you’ve never seen one, it’s really a great, silly, memorable time and we highly encourage you heading down to the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk this weekend for Delaware’s biggest annual winter beach event.

Read much more about the 2019 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge below, as well as four more worthwhile events on tap for this first weekend of February.

Here are our top five events for the weekend of February 1-3 in the coastal region:

Lewes Polar Bear Plunge (February 1-3). This insanely popular wintertime event includes a full weekend of activities in Rehoboth Beach, culminating in the 2019 “Plunge” on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Several thousand “Bears” are again expected to brave the frigid waters of the Atlantic, with even more standing on the beach and the Boardwalk cheering them on. It’s all to raise money for Special Olympics Delaware, and is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year in the First State.

Here are some of the highlights of this year’s event:

5K Run to the Plunge. The run starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, with registration beginning two hours earlier on the Boardwalk.

Fire & Ice Festivities. These family fun activities will take place at the Rehoboth Beach Fire Hall on Saturday, from 12 to 2 p.m. Events include children’s games, hot wing selections and the “Polar Ice Cream Throwdown,”with area creameries featuring delectable polar inspired flavors.

Chili Tasting Contest. This is scheduled from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at several restaurants throughout Rehoboth Beach. Prizes are given in categories including “Best Hot Chili,” “Most Unique Chili” and “Judge’s Choice.” Working hard to defend their title from 2018 will be Cafe Azafran, with several other contenders trying to unseat them. Ballots are $10 and can be purchased at any of the participating restaurants.

Ice Sculpting Demonstration. Always a fan favorite, these unique creations will come to life on Rehoboth Avenue beginning at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Read more about this year’s sculptors here.

Sandcastle Art. This is scheduled for Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the beach just south of Rehoboth Avenue. The “Sand Bears” will again be creating memorable works of art, providing great backdrops for your Polar Bear Plunge photographs.

Fifth Annual Polar Bear Jam at The Pond (February 3). When the 2019 Polar Bear Plunge officially wraps up, head on over to The Pond to keep the fun going throughout the afternoon.

Located on South First Street in Rehoboth, The Pond Bar and Grill will feature five hours of music to fill the gap between the ending of the Polar Bear Plunge and the beginning of the Super Bowl at 6 p.m.

Five local bands are schedule to perform at this fifth annual event.

Visit www.thepondrehoboth.com for more information.

Winter Jam 2019 at the Rusty Rudder (February 1). Scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. this Friday, February 1, the 2019 Winter Jam will feature food from several area restaurants, as well as music by The Rockets, living and silent auctions, and much more.

All proceeds from this wintertime event in Dewey Beach will benefit individual students from Cape Henlopen High School in their future endeavors.

This yearly event is organized by the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation. Tickets are $25 in advance ($35 at the door) and can be purchased here.

See what else is happening in the coastal region this weekend here

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