Ice, Inclusion, and a Finish Line in Sight: Blaine’s Polar Plunge Enters Its Final Days

Blaine, MN

On Saturday morning, as breath turns visible in the late February air and Sunrise Lake holds its sheet of winter ice, 41 members of the City of Blaine Polar Plunge Team will step forward for a ritual that has become as much about belonging as it is about bravery.

With three days remaining before the 2026 Anoka County Polar Plunge, the team is $4,327 shy of its fundraising goal for Special Olympics Minnesota. The plunge will take place at Lakeside Commons Park, 3020 Lakes Parkway, on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Check in begins at 10:30 a.m., with the plunge ceremony scheduled for noon.

The Blaine effort is one chapter in a statewide movement organized by Special Olympics Minnesota in partnership with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, often known as the Guardians of the Flame. Across Minnesota, thousands of residents plunge into frozen water each winter to fund year round athletic training, competitions, and health services for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

A Tradition That Grew Into a Regional Institution

Since its inception in 2012, the Anoka County site has raised more than $2.4 million, according to event organizers. In peak years, nearly 750 participants have taken the leap at the Blaine location alone, making it one of the region’s most visible winter gatherings.

Beyond the spectacle of the plunge, the event carries the feel of a civic festival. A merchandise tent will offer Special Olympics gear. Volunteers will serve cocoa and winter treats. Local athletes are expected to attend, turning the shoreline into a place of reunion and recognition rather than spectacle.

Because of the crowd size, the City of Blaine typically coordinates logistics to ease congestion. Free shuttle services are expected to run from 11:00 a.m. through the conclusion of the event from satellite locations including Blainbrook Entertainment Center, Renovation Church, and Pizza Pub Prime.

The Role of Law Enforcement

The Blaine Police Department serves as a primary organizer of the Law Enforcement Challenge, a friendly competition among county agencies including the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and neighboring police departments to determine which team can raise the most funds.

The City of Blaine team is composed of 41 participants, a mix of sworn officers, city staff, and community supporters. While each plunger must raise at least $75 to participate, many teams set their sights far higher, often reaching five figure totals in support of statewide programming.

For law enforcement agencies, the plunge has become both a fundraiser and a public statement. It signals solidarity with families, athletes, and schools. It also reinforces a partnership that stretches back decades through the Torch Run model, which channels law enforcement visibility and volunteerism into sustained support for Special Olympics programming.

Where the Money Goes

Special Olympics Minnesota reports that funds raised through the Polar Plunge support more than 8,000 athletes statewide.

Those dollars underwrite:

• Year round coaching and competitions in 19 Olympic style sports
• Unified Champion Schools programs that bring students with and without intellectual disabilities together through sport to build inclusive school cultures
• Healthy Athletes initiatives, which provide free health screenings in areas such as vision, hearing, and dental care

Organizers emphasize that donations remain in Minnesota, directly supporting programming across the state.

This year’s fundraiser carries added resonance. In June 2026, Minnesota will host the Special Olympics USA Games, with several events scheduled to take place in Blaine at the National Sports Center. For local athletes and families, the Polar Plunge is not only a fundraiser but a prelude to a national stage.

A Community at the Water’s Edge

In a state defined by winter, stepping into a frozen lake is rarely comfortable. Yet year after year, Minnesotans return to the shoreline.

The City of Blaine team’s final push underscores how much of this event is measured not in degrees but in commitment. The remaining $4,327 represents more than a financial gap. It is a communal call.

Residents who wish to contribute can donate through the team’s official fundraising page at https://reg.plungemn.org/team/cityofblaine. Those who prefer to attend in person can gather at Lakeside Commons Park on Saturday to cheer, volunteer, or simply witness the moment when icy water becomes a shared act of belief.

In Blaine, the plunge is cold. The purpose is not.

MinneapoliMedia