CAPE GIRARDEAU – The 20th Annual Cape Girardeau Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, February 7 at Cape County Park North, bringing together community members for one of winter’s most exciting fundraising events benefiting Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO).
Participants will dress in costumes and swimwear before taking a plunge into icy waters to raise funds that support year-round sports training and athletic competition for Special Olympics Missouri athletes in the Southeast Area.
The Polar Plunge is open to anyone age 10+ who is ready to have fun for a great cause. The event is hosted by Cape Girardeau Police Department.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Location: Cape County Park North, 2400 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO
Registration: Begins at 10 a.m.
Plunge Time: NOON
Minimum Fundraising Requirement: $75
“What an awesome experience it is to plan an event where people are willing and desire to do something out of their comfort zone to help someone else,” said Penny Williams, Plunge Coordinator. “What makes it even better is that they have chosen to help the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri.”
In 2025, Cape Girardeau Polar Plungers raised more than $54,000 for Special Olympics Missouri athletes. The fundraising goal for 2026 is $55,000, with organizers hoping to help raise more than $1,000,000 statewide through 11 Polar Plunge events across Missouri.
Costumes are highly encouraged.
Awards will be presented to pre-registered participants only in the following categories:
Top Fundraisers
Top Fundraising Group
Top Fundraising School
No wetsuits are allowed. Shoes are required.
Athlete Ambassadors
This year’s Cape Girardeau Polar Plunge is supported by three Special Olympics Missouri athlete ambassadors — Lisa Berryhill, Lucas Blattel, and Daniel Fultz — who are helping promote the event throughout the community.
“I plunge every year,” said Lisa Berryhill, a Special Olympics Missouri athlete. “I love competing with my Special Olympics Missouri teammates, and I am very good at raising money for the things I love.”
Registration & Participant Perks
The easiest way to register and fundraise is online at PlungeMO.org, where participants can sign up for the Cape Girardeau Polar Plunge and share their fundraising page with friends and family.
Plunging participants will receive:
An official Polar Plunge commemorative T-shirt
A Plunger meal
Admission to the Pre-Plunge Party, 1625 North Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO
Admission to the Pre-Plunge Party is $15 for the general public. Additional fundraising incentives are available for participants who reach higher fundraising levels.
Paper registration forms are available at 1625 North Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO. Completed forms and the minimum fundraising contribution may be mailed or delivered to:
Special Olympics Missouri Polar Plunge
1625 North Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Sponsors
Special Olympics Missouri thanks its generous sponsors for making the Cape Girardeau Polar Plunge possible.
Polar Sponsors:
Bantera Bank, Cape Kiwanis Club, AID/VIP, Cape County Park, Drury Southwest, Sam’s Club, Coad Toyota, Marcellous Jones Foundation, Cape Police Dept., Cape Fire Dept, and Cape Parks and Recreation Dept.
Tundra Sponsors:
Culver’s, American Family-Laurel and Chris Adkisson, and Southern Cross Medical.