Civic Center offers Polar Bear Plunge

McMinnville Civic Center?s third annual Polar Bear Plunge is coming up next weekend. Those interested in jumping into a chilly pool are encouraged to sign up. Along with becoming an official Polar Bear Club member, free T-shirts will be given away to the first 70 people who register and complete the plunge.

The shirts are expected to go fast. Last year?s plunge attracted 59 people. The year before, seven people took the plunge. With those increasing statistics, the shirts will be gone in a flash, organizers expect.

If plunging into ice cold water and becoming a member of the Polar Bear Club isn?t on your list of lifetime goals, the facility will also be offering a one-mile walk and three-mile run.

Participants may choose one activity or participate in two. The one-mile walk and three-mile run begin at 11 a.m. The Gilley Pool Plunge will begin immediately after, or about 11:45 a.m.

There will be hot cocoa to warm participants on the inside and a bonfire and towels to warm people on the outside.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20 at McMinnville Civic Center. Pre-registration forms can be picked up in the front lobby. Forms can be filled out until 10:30 a.m. the day of the event. The charge is $5.