LINCOLN PARK — Unseasonably warm weather on Sunday made the annual Polar Plunge a little less polar — and popular.
Special Olympics Chicago confirmed Monday that about 5,500 people took part in its annual fundraiser. That was down from the estimated 6,000 last year, which the Chicago organization said set the record with $1.5 million taken in.
This year's event nonetheless met its goal of hitting that figure again, and it could set a new record as it's still accepting donations at the Special Olympics Chicago website.
Movie star Dax Shepard was this year's "Very Important Plunger" and dashed into Lake Michigan in full uniform from his upcoming "CHIPS" film.
The "Chicago Fire" cast again took part, although this year without Lady Gaga.
We can feel our toes again. #SpecialOlympics #PolarPlunge #ChicagoFire #ChicagoPD #ChicagoJustice @NBCChicagoFire @NBCChicagoPD pic.twitter.com/MuzJTP7mmc
— Eng 18 Chicago Fire (@CFDEngine18) March 5, 2017
Former Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher cooked up brats to warm up participants.
Umm..is @BUrlacher54 serving us breakfast after that Polar Plunge!?! How cool!#ChicagoPolarPlunge @SpecialOChi @Cory_Bradburn pic.twitter.com/P6w0Cscd1e
— Chicago Sport Social (@ChiSportSocial) March 5, 2017
After an unseasonably warm February, the Chicago Park District said the event took place Sunday morning with an air temperature of 41 degrees, just barely above the 40-degree water temperature.
Water, however, is said to be at its most dense at 39 degrees, which minimized the benefit.
