Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Takes the Plunge for Inclusion at 2026 Polar Plunge in Blaine

BLAINE, MN

On the last Saturday of February, when winter in Minnesota still carries its sharpest edge, a crowd will gather along the frozen shoreline of Sunrise Lake at Lakeside Commons Park. They will come in boots and parkas, in costumes and department jackets, with sirens in the distance and music on the loudspeakers. And then, one by one, they will step into the water.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office is once again participating in the Anoka County Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Lakeside Commons Park in Blaine. The annual event is a signature fundraiser for Special Olympics Minnesota, supporting more than 8,000 athletes statewide through year-round sports training, competition, and health programming.

A Winter Ritual With a Purpose

The Anoka County Polar Plunge is organized under the banner of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a global movement in which law enforcement officers serve as year-round advocates and fundraisers for Special Olympics athletes. In Minnesota, the Polar Plunge series has become one of the organization’s most visible and effective fundraising efforts.

The Blaine event alone has raised more than $2.44 million over its 14-year history, according to organizers, underscoring both its staying power and its reach within the north metro community.

Participation requires more than courage. Each registered plunger must raise a minimum of $75 to take part and receive the official commemorative T-shirt. Many participants exceed that threshold, turning friendly rivalries into meaningful contributions.

2026 Event Details

The 2026 plunge will take place at Lakeside Commons Park, 3020 Lakes Parkway, Blaine, MN 55449, along the shore of Sunrise Lake.

Organizers list check-in typically beginning at 10:30 a.m., with ceremonial first plunges around noon. The event is free and open to spectators.

Because of historically high attendance, free shuttle services are often provided from satellite parking locations, including:

• Blainbrook Entertainment Center
• Renovation Church
• Pizza Pub Prime

Attendees are encouraged to review event logistics and parking updates on the official Polar Plunge registration site prior to arrival.

The Role of Law Enforcement

For the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, participation is both symbolic and practical. Deputies and staff members compete in what is known as the “Law Enforcement Challenge,” where agencies across Minnesota strive to raise the most funds.

Officers who serve as year-round ambassadors for the cause are often referred to as “Guardians of the Flame,” a title rooted in the Torch Run tradition and its message of inclusion.

Supporters can donate directly to the Sheriff’s Office team through its official fundraising page at reg.plungemn.org/team/acso.

Where the Money Goes

Funds raised through the Polar Plunge support:

• Year-round sports training and statewide competitions
• Health screenings and wellness programs for athletes
• Unified Champion Schools, which promote inclusion by bringing students with and without intellectual disabilities together through sports and leadership initiatives

For families across Minnesota, these programs represent more than athletic opportunity. They provide structure, community, confidence, and visibility.

More Than a Jump

The Polar Plunge is part spectacle, part civic ritual. Participants arrive dressed as superheroes, cartoon characters, or winter warriors. Music fills the air. Volunteers assist with registration and merchandise. The event’s mascot, often a polar bear named “Snowflake,” poses for photographs with children wrapped in scarves and mittens.

Yet beneath the theatrics is a steady commitment. The water is cold, but the cause is enduring.

In a season often defined by endurance, the Polar Plunge transforms Minnesota’s winter into something communal. Public safety officers stand shoulder to shoulder with teachers, students, small-business owners, and families. The icy water becomes a shared threshold, a reminder that inclusion is not abstract. It is practiced.

On February 28, at the edge of Sunrise Lake, deputies from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office will step forward once more. The splash will be brief. The impact will not.

How to Participate or Support

• Plunge: Register and raise at least $75 to jump into Sunrise Lake.
• Donate: Support the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office team at reg.plungemn.org/team/acso.
• Volunteer: Assist with event operations, registration, or merchandise.
• Spectate: The event is free and open to the public.

For additional information, registration details, or volunteer opportunities, visit the official Polar Plunge website or Special Olympics Minnesota’s event page.

MinneapoliMedia