THE PENGUIN PLUNGE

WINSTED — With costumes ranging from the Incredible Hulk and Zorro to ballerinas and cavemen, more than 180 “penguins� participated in the sixth annual Winsted Penguin Plunge on Highland Lake, raising more than $50,000 for Special Olympics Connecticut.

The event appeared to draw a larger audience than last year’s plunge, with more than 1,000 people swarming the Holland Beach area. This year, a pathway was made to a large swimming hole in the ice, where the audience was able to gather in a circle around the man-made ice pond.

Members of the Winsted Fire Department’s Engine 4 squad got the party started by bringing a personal trampoline to the edge of the water, allowing each plunger additional hang time on the way into the drink. Participants did flips, belly flops and nose-dives into the ice bath.

While attendance was impressive, nationwide economic difficulties may have affected this year’s event. The 2008 plunge registered a record 200 plungers and took in proceeds of more than $90,000.

The individual who raised the most money this year was Highland Lake resident Matt Smith, who pulled in $15,000. Smith jumped in with Team Neanderthal. He has participated in every Winsted plunge since the event began in 2003.

There are a total of nine Penguin Plunges in Connecticut this year, with the next happening Sunday, Feb. 15, at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury.

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