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Photo Gallery: Chicago Polar Plunge 2009

By Prescott Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 2, 2009 10:25PM

After Chicagoist spotlighted the annual Chicago Polar Plunge for Special Olympics over the weekend, we decided to head down to North Avenue beach yesterday to watch the festivities and grab some photos. Sure, we knew it was going to be cold, but as lifelong Chicagoans that wasn't going to stop us, nor were the snow flurries or the wind. But as the 30 m.p.h. gusts hit us on the bridge over Lake Shore Drive, we had a sinking feeling and regretted not having a scarf or ski mask. And by the time an announcement was made that the start of the plunge was going to be delayed, we had enough of the stinging ice whipping in our face and bailed. Jim Cantore, your job is safe. (And yes, we realize how ridiculous we are complaining about the cold when people were jumping in the lake half naked for charity.)

Fortunately one soul braved the elements and uploaded some shots of the event to our Flickr pool (you do know about the Chicagoist Flickr pool, don't you?), saving our candy asses. Thank you, sir.