Seize the Freeze Saturday — although the forecast is pretty mild — at the fifth annual Chowan County Polar Plunge at Colonial Park in historic downtown Edenton.

New this year will include a Cornhole Tournament and a Pee Wee Plunge. Both events support the Special Olympics of North Carolina.

Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. for the Polar Plunge; the plunge will start at noon.

The first 75 plungers will receive a T-shirt and goodie bag. The minimum donation for the event is $25 and proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics program in Chowan County.

Jumpers are encouraged to set up their own web pages for fundraising at www.firstgiving.com/sonc. It only takes five minutes and no special skills are needed.

This year kids ages 9 and under can take part in the Pee Wee Plunge by “plunging” into a kiddie pool lightly sprinkled with ice cubes and rubber ducks. Parents can assist kids and be a part of the fun. The cost of taking part in the Pee Wee Plunge is $25; participants will receive an event T-shirt and kiddie goodie bag.

Those who are too chicken to take the plunge may sponsor a more courageous soul or make a donation directly to Chowan County Special Olympics.

Registration for the Cornhole Tournament will begin at 8 a.m. and the double elimination tournament will start at 9 a.m. The registration fee is $20. These proceeds too will benefit our local Special Olympics program.

Vendors will be on-site selling everything from biscuits for breakfast, “tacos in a bag” and hot dogs for lunch, to popcorn, chili, drinks and hot chocolate.

Chelsea Krahenbill with Little Tuna Studios will be the official photographer of the 2012 Chowan Polar Plunge. Tommy Bass will serve as emcee.

Chowan County has participated in Special Olympics for more than 20 years through partnership between the Edenton-Chowan Schools and the Edenton-Chowan Recreation Department that coordinate the events.

This partnership provides support, training and mentoring to our local athletes. And this athletic program encourages our students with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports activities that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to enjoy.

Track and field events have typically been the targeted activities for these special athletes with basketball skills, bowling and bocce training recently added.

For more information, call 482-4436, or email lhobbs@ecps.k12.nc.us. Registration and event information is also available at 
chowanpolarplunge.com.