BENEFITS AND FUNDRAISERS | OUTDOORS

Enjoy some freezing fun at the Polar Bear Dip

Posted Dec. 20, 2012, at 3:30 p.m.

Monday, December 31, 2012; 12 p.m.

Location: East End Beach, , Portland, Maine

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PORTLAND, Maine — One hundred Mainers age 10 to 76 will jump in the ocean at East End beach at noon Monday, Dec. 31, at East End Beach as part of the natural Resources Council of Maine’s Polar Bear Dip. Ten of the dippers will be dressed up as a wedding party, including a real bride and groom who will marry this spring accompanied by their entourage.

Three of the Mainers, now living in exile in Southern California, will participate and are likely to be especially shocked by Maine’s frigid winter waters.

There will be LOTS of polar bear costumes, as the two best polar bear costume-clad folks win a prize. And at least one dipper is expected to wear in a Grinch costume.

The 5k run will begin at 11 a.m. Registration will open at 9:30 a.m.

Register in advance at nrcm.kintera.org/dipdash. Registration fee is $30, and friends and family can pledge to help raise money and awareness about climate change. For information and to pledge online go to http://www.nrcm.org/dipdash.asp. The first 200 to sign-up for the dip, the dash or both will receive a BPA-free water bottle.