Hundreds jump in Polar Ice Plunge fundraiser
EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS — More than 400 people willingly jumped into very cold waters New Year’s Day for the annual Polar Plunge fundraiser.
Each person paid $15.00 to take the cool dip in the Illinois River. One hundred percent of that money is turned over to local children’s charities.
As if the event wasn’t entertaining enough to watch some decided they were going to jump with creative costumes.
For his plunge, Scott Johnson wore only knitted boots, a ski hat with ears and a speedo.
When asked why anyone would wear a speedo, he had an interesting response.
“If I was naked I would get into trouble,” Johnson said.
Brothers Jason Short and Shawn Felmey have been coming for the last four years. They were dressed up as rodeo clowns, but in years past they’ve had different costumes.
“We’ve dressed up like Kiss, we’ve dressed up like the Blueman and stuff like that. And the last few years we’ve just stuck with the rodeo clowns,” Felmey said.
Last year, Brian Pitzer was a fat ballerina. This year he found another hard-to-ignore costume.
“I’m a biker babe and I tried to find a different costume.This one would definitely get me noticed,” Pitzer said.
The East Peoria Boat Club hosts the event. About $10,000 dollars was raised for local children’s charities.
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