Photo Essay – Polar Bear Plunge
Auburn’s Polar Bear Plunge
Broadcast script:
ON FEBRUARY 1ST THE CITY OF AUBURN HOSTED ITS 8TH ANNUAL POLAR
BEAR PLUNGE.
THE EVENT WAS HELD AT SAMFORD POOL FROM 9 TO 10 AM.
ITS PURPOSE WAS TO RAISE MONEY FOR LEES COUNTY’S SPECIAL
OLYMPICS. THE EVENT STARTED WITH A COSTUME CONTEST AND ENDED
WITH TWO ROUNDS OF PARTICIPANTS JUMPING IN THE WATER TO TAKE
THE PLUNGE. A BROAD RANGE OF AGES CAME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
EVENT. AFTER THE PLUNGE ATTENDEES WERE WELCOME TO BUY BAKE
SALE ITEMS. ALL PROCEEDS WENT TOWARDS THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS.
Web Story:
The City of Auburn Annual Polar Bear Plunge took place on Saturday, Feb. 1. Auburn hosts this event to raise money for Lee County’s Special Olympics. With a fee of ten dollars, anyone can come and take the plunge. This year the event was held at the Samford community pool and lasted from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The event starts with a costume contest. Residence of Auburn ranging from 7 to 50 years old dressed up to compete for the best costume. The costume contest was quoted as some of the participant’s favorite parts of the event. This year, first place went to a replica to Bruce Pearl, Auburn Universities head basketball coach, a homage to Auburn’s winning season.
After the contest, the plunge begins. Participants are divided into two to three groups, depending on the size of the groups. This year there were only two rounds of swimmers. The first group had teens and college student in it, including the Auburn High school soccer team. The second group had any children under the age of ten and anyone in their 30s or higher.
There is no competition to see who stays in the water the longest. The goal is to have fun.
After dried off and warm, people are encouraged to stay, eat baked goods, and have a good time.
Mackenzie Reese 
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