Plunging for Pink is an event of the "Paint the Town Pink Festival" in Austin, MN. This polar plunge event was started as a way to raise funds for breast cancer research, while creating a fun and creative winter activity that is wildly entertaining! Over the course of the past five years, the participants of this event have combined to raise more than $300,000 towards breast cancer research! Participants of the plunge are asked to raise a minimum donation amount of $50 in order to plunge into the frigid waters of icy East Side Lake. You can jump as a team, or jump as an individual. The idea is to raise as much money as possible in order to find a cure for breast cancer; to honor or tribute the loved ones we know affected by breast cancer; and to have fun supporting this enormous cause!
While plungers are raising money for a worthy cause, we encourage participants and spectators to be as festive as possible. Be prepared for a fun envinroment with plenty of pink, music and fun! Our previous experience has shown that the more action the better, and we schedule our teams and individuals to get through their plunge quickly, insuring non-stop fun and action!
Plunging for Pink will be held on Saturday, January 26th, 2019 - starting at 12:30 p.m.
East Side Lake - Public Lake Access
East Side Lake Park @ Oakland Pl NE & 8th Ave Ne
Austin, MN
The University of Minneosta offers a crowd funding tool.
This page can then be shared with all of your friends and family via social media, email or text and let them link right to your page!
Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $50 towards breast cancer research in order to take the plunge, and encouraged to raise as much as possible beyond that point also!
Any cash and checks that are collected should be brought with you the day of your plunge and turned in during registration.
We encourage plungers to utilize the NEW crowdfundiing online donation tool provided in partnership by the University of Minnesota and The Hormel Institute. Each team will have a crowdfunding page set up for them that will allow them to share their team page with friends and family, while allowing online donation from the site with 100% of the funds going directly to The Hormel Institute's breast cancer research fund! Details about crowdfunding will be sent in addition after registration is complete.
Click here for a Donation Tracking Form
Chicken Coop
We have a few new people this year that are thinking about taking the plunge, but they are just a little too chicken to jump in the water without some extra motivation.
We will open registration at 11:30 and encourage you to arrive early. When you register on site, you will need to sign your waiver, receive your Plunging T-shirt and turn in any of the funds that you have raised towards your plunge.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of time in advance of your scheduled plunge time that will be emailed to you a week in advance of Plunge day. Also, plan accordingly for the weather conditions. We will have heated trailers, as well as a heated warming tent, but these will be reserved for plungers during their plunging activity. Reminder that safety is most important and all plungers must wear shoes and be in proper condition to plunge. We encourage you to check the tab at the top of the web page for additional "Tips & Tricks."
Hyvee will be serving alcohol and other beverages at the plunge again this year!
Pinky Plunge
Want to participate, but can't or don't want to jump all the way in to the frigid cold waters of East Side Lake? We would like all children, women, and men of all ages and abilities to be able to partake in this great event, so we will kick off with an all new Pinky Plunge this year! Come dip a toe, finger, or whatever other body part you desire in to the lake! All pinky plungers will go at the same time, so when signing up below please choose "Join Existing Team" and choose "Pinky Plunge." Pinky Plungers will be asked to raise a minimum donation amount of $30, and will still get to enjoy the t-shirt and after party meal like the rest of the plungers.
Whether you are plunging or not, come out and celebrate with us starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Eagles! The Plunge Celebration will feature award ceremony for plungers, raffle prizes, a silent auction, music, beverage, food and refreshments with proceeds going to benefit breast cancer research at the Hormel Institute!
Have additional questions or need more information? Follow us on Twitter @Plunging4Pink or Please reach out to us at the email address below and we will get back to you in a short period of time! Thanks for checking out the site and we hope to see you on January 26th!
plungingforpink@gmail.com