This weekend marked my annual trip to Sea Isle City, New Jersey, for the always entertaining Polar Bear Plunge. The event itself is somewhat unusual, but it’s always a good time, and the money generated benefits city-wide events sponsored by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization.

ID 109505388 © Christopher Doehling | Dreamstime.com

Everything kicks off on Friday, when a costume contest is held to crown the 2019 Polar Bear Royal Family. Stay with me here. Winners are picked in two different age groups, and everything takes place at the historic LaCosta Complex. We didn’t make it in time on Friday for the contest this year, but it’s always worth the watch.

Everything is set up around the main event on Saturday, when all who signed up and paid a registration fee meet on the beach between 38th and 40th streets for another costume contest before the plunge at 2 p.m. The concept of jumping into the freezing Atlantic Ocean may be off-putting to many, but at the end of the day it’s for a good cause and cool to see the number of people who sign up for it. Yes, the jump is somewhat unpleasant, but you typically get over it pretty quickly, and there is always medical staff on standby in case something goes wrong.

Finally, on Sunday, Mike’s Seafood sponsored the Run/Walk for Autism, a 5K run and 1.5-mile Fun Walk at 12 p.m. on the city’s promenade.

If you are ever feeling adventurous, charitable or just in the mood for an adult costume contest at the beach, Sea Isle City’s got your back.

— Chris Sager, account executive