Penguins Ready to Take Chilly Plunge

On Saturday afternoon, approximately 200 "penguins" will be taking a plunge into 42-degree Crystal Lake in Ellington.

The Ellington Penguin Plunge is one of 10 Plunges for Special Olympics Connecticut that are happening across the state this year. The penguins - including a group from Patch - will be jumping into the chilly water in bathing suits, team jerseys or creative costumes for a good cause. There will be incentive prizes and awards given for top fundraisers and best costume.

Special Olympics Connecticut Regional Director Marc Mercadante said that plungers come from all walks of life and raise all amounts of money for the cause.

Local sponsors include Maneely’s Banquet and Catering and Red Onion Restaurant. Event proceeds will support Special Olympics Connecticut’s year-round programs. Clear Channel Community Access Radio will be on site to provide music and announcements.

There is limited parking inside the parking lot and on Sandy Beach Road. Plunge officials are encouraging spectators and plungers to carpool as best as possible and park at (about a mile away from beach) and take the bus shuttle that will run from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Penguin registration will take place from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and at 11:45 a.m., there will be a penguin parade. The plunge will last from noon until 12:15 p.m. and then awards will be given out at 12:45 p.m.

The deadline for a new person to register online is noon on Friday, and the deadline to add a donation to an online total is Friday at 5 p.m. There is a minimum $75 donation to plunge.

If plungers receive sponsorship donations in the form of cash or checks, they should bring them on the day of the plunge. All checks should be made out to Special Olympics Connecticut. 

The day of the plunge, officials will run labels with the plungers' names on them and have them at the registration tables inside the registration tent. Plungers are asked to bring their signed plunge waiver, penguin envelope and any additional cash or checks counted and tallied, to one of the registration tables. Extra envelopes and waivers will be available, as no one is allowed to plunge without a signed waiver form. 

Once all the online and preregistration total, cash and checks are tallied, plungers will be given a wristband with their plunger number that identifies them as a registered plunger. Plungers will also be given a colored ticket indicating their incentive prize. The penguins can stop at the prize table at the end of the tent to claim their prize. 

The staging for the parade of plungers will begin at 11:45 a.m. and all spectators will be sent to the beach.

Because there is no ice cover this year, officials can send in more than eight plungers in at a time - as has been done in past years. 

Awards will then be given out for a variety of categories including top individual fundraiser, top fundraising group, top fundraising public service group, and oldest penguin - to name a few.

Additional Information:

• Changing tents will be available on the beach. We do not have access to inside the Crystal Lake School.
• You’ll need to bring a towel and some type of beach footwear. And of course you’ll need something to change into after you plunge. No dogs allowed on beach.
• There will be plenty of EMS staff on site prior to and during the plunge.
• Consumption of alcohol prior and while at the plunge is prohibited. Event organizers and EMS personnel reserve the right to not allow a person to plunge if they appear intoxicated.
• Renee Denino of Clear Channel Community Access Radio and 105.9 The River will be the official event emcee.
• Food and snacks will be available for donations on site for all plungers and spectators. Also, official PENGUIN Plunge and Special Olympic Connecticut merchandise will be sold on site to support the event.