ELK RAPIDS — Short’s Brewing will host the Grand Traverse Polar Plunge on March 21 at its Elk Rapids location in partnership with Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Michigan.
The event will support Special Olympics Michigan athletes and will give participants the chance to pledge to plunge or donate to a team.
The plunge will take place in the Pull Barn parking lot using the Plungester, a semi-truck-sized pool on wheels.
“Every Polar Plunge is a celebration of courage, community and commitment,” Special Olympics Michigan President and CEO Tim Hileman said. “Whether you’re taking your first plunge or returning for another year, every dollar raised helps create opportunities for athletes to compete, grow and shine both on and off the field.”
Short’s Brewing founder Joe Short said he cold swam every morning for at least 60 seconds and checked the water on Elk Lake at 5 a.m.
“I cold swim every morning for at least sixty seconds,” Short said. “But don’t worry, the plunge at the Pull Barn will be much shorter and probably much warmer than my typical routine!”
Short’s Brewing General Manager Rachel Payne said the brewery hoped to break the previous fundraising record. Payne said the Short’s company team was currently fundraising and would match donations up to $2,500.
“We can’t wait to host the Grand Traverse Polar Plunge this year, fingers crossed it’s a warm March!” Payne said.
Flannagan’s Goat food truck will be onsite for plungers and the Pull Barn will pour a special beer made for the occasion, All In IPA.
The brewery said All In IPA is a new release available in six-packs and on draft that benefits athletes with intellectual disabilities in Michigan. The beer is described as having tropical hop aroma with very little bitterness on the finish.
All In IPA will also be on draft at bars near Polar Plunges across the state.
More information about Short’s Polar Plunge, including how to enter to win a plunge-inspired getaway at Spillway Lodges, is available at shortsbrewing.com/plunge.
Information about Polar Plunges across Michigan is available at plungemi.org.