Polar Plunge for western Kentucky set for March 1

This year's Polar Plunge event for western Kentucky is set for March 1 at Kentucky Dam Village State Park.

Once again, teams of dozens of participants will voluntarily take a chilly dip into Kentucky Lake, in support of Special Olympics Kentucky, and the over 11,000 people in the Commonwealth with intellectual disabilities. 

There's also a Polar 5K run from the plunge area near the old beach to Kentucky Dam and back. 

Prizes are offered for the top individual fundraiser and for the top fundraising teams in corporate/civic, school and law enforcement divisions. There are also prizes for the best individual and group costumes.

Polar Plunge is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for Special Olympics Kentucky. Last year the event raised more than $70,000 to fund Special Olympics athletic programs in western Kentucky. Since 1997, almost $9 million has been raised.

You can register to participate as an individual or with a team at soky.org  .