The 12th Annual Erie Polar Plunge 

WHAT: The 12th Annual Erie Polar Plunge  

WHO:  More than 500 Northwest Polar Plungers & Special Olympics Pennsylvania community    

WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21  

Friday, Nov. 20 
5-7 pm: Frozen Footrace registration at Dick's Sporting Goods. (810 Mill Creek Blvd. Erie, PA 16565) 

Saturday, Nov. 21 
9 am: Frozen Footrace registration at Presque Isle Beach No. 7 
9:30 – 11:30 am: Polar Plunge registration in the rotary pavilion. All participants must register and receive a wrist band. 
10 am: Frozen Footrace begins. 
9:30 – 11:30 am:  Pre event fun, food, entertainment, games, and festivities. 
11:30 am: Opening Ceremonies. 
12:00 pm: Plunge begins! 

WHERE:  

PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK – BEACH #7 – Parking at BEACH #8    

301 Peninsula Drive, Erie PA   

WHY: Special Olympics Pennsylvania is powered by Plunge! The Polar Plunge is a fundraiser that helps provide year-round sports, health and leadership programming to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in your community. Polar Plunges have raised millions of dollars across the country for Special Olympics chapters. The events are co-hosted by state chapters of Special Olympics along with their Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) officials.   

(Erie, PA, November 12, 2026) – Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) is excited to brave the cold waters at its 12th  Northwest Polar Plunge, presented by Rebich Investments. The Polar Plunge will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Presque Isle State Park – Beach #7, located at 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie, PA. Registration is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by opening ceremonies and the Plunge will begin at 12:00 p.m. (noon).  Parking will be at Beach #8. 

Alongside the Polar Plunge, the Northwest Region will kick off the plunge with its Frozen Footrace, presented by Krauza Family Chiropractic. The Frozen Footrace returns with a 1-mile chilly walk, 5K, and 10 K race before the main event at 10:00 a.m. Registration and check-in takes place Friday, Nov. 20th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Dick's Sporting Goods Erie (810 Mill Creek Blvd. Erie, PA 16565), and Saturday morning before the race starting at Presque Isle Beach #7 at 9:00 a.m. Families, friends, runners, and anyone who's looking for a fun – and freezing – time is welcome! 

What's even better about this thrilling and chilling day? Anyone can attend as a Plunge spectator, free of charge, and enjoy activities at Plunge Town from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. ahead of the opening ceremonies and Plunge. These family-friendly activities include food, games, music, face painting, magic, mascots, and much, much more!  

Event sponsors of the 2026 Northwest Polar Plunge include presenting sponsor Rebich Investments, Krauza Family Chiropractic, National Fuel, Sportsmen's Athletic Club, Flagship Fireworks, Erie News Now, Lamar, Pilot, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Walmart, Agresti, Erie County Department of Health, Wegmans, Bob's Discount Furniture, Service Coordination Unlimited, Achieva, Dick's Sporting Goods, Aveanna Healthcare, and Vicary Insurance Agency.  

The Polar Plunge is Special Olympics Pennsylvania's biggest fundraiser – with more than 30 plunges with thousands of participants jumping in around the state. All the money raised helps provide free year-round sports training and competition opportunities to more than 15,000 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state. 

About Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Northwest Region  

Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Northwest Region provides year-round training and competitive sports programs to nearly 500+ children and adults with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities. This regional approach is designed to provide sustainability to the organization, engage more athletes and provide enhanced, quality experiences to athletes in our region.  

About Special Olympics Pennsylvania   

Founded in 1970, Special Olympics Pennsylvania is part of a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than 15,000 athletes and Unified Sports partners statewide and more than 16,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics Pennsylvania delivers more than 20 Olympic-type sports and over 1000 competitions every year. Engage with us on: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Learn more at SpecialOlympicsPA.org.