Annual Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Returns Saturday, January 19th

PRESS RELEASE

The Special Olympics New Jersey 2013 Polar Bear Plunge returns to the Wildwoods on Saturday, January 19, 2013, starting at 1 p.m. on the beach behind the Wildwoods Convention Center. The annual plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean will benefit the more than 22,000 athletes of the Special Olympics New Jersey.

The event is FREE for spectators, but Plungers must raise $100 in pledges to participate in the event. Early registration can be done online by visiting www.sonj.org. Additional registration and donations will be accepted on-site the day of the event. Check-in will take place from 10 a.m. – noon in the Wildwoods Convention Center lobby. Immediately following the Plunge, participants can enjoy a free lunch inside the warm Wildwoods Convention Center.

The Wildwoods’ Polar Bear Plunge is a family friendly event benefiting more than 22,000 athletes of the Special Olympics New Jersey. There are incentives based on the total funds raised and there will be a special recognition for the person who raises the most money.

The New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run is sponsoring the Wildwoods Polar Bear Plunge and is comprised of law enforcement officers who volunteer and are dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics. The Special Olympics Torch has become one of the most colorful aspects of the Special Olympics New Jersey Opening Ceremonies.

Year after year, the Wildwoods Polar Bear Plunge continues to grow in popularity and is just one of the many FREE events offered in the Wildwoods. Beat the winter blues by showing support for a worthy cause and come see what the Polar Bear Plunge is all about.

For more information regarding the Special Olympics New Jersey please visit www.sonj.org.

For more information regarding the Special Olympics Wildwoods’ Polar Bear Plunge please call 609-896-8000 or visit www.njpolarplunge.org.

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.

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About the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority

The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) was formed in 1993 to consolidate the tourism economy of its three founding municipalities: Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood. The Wildwoods have won numerous travel and tourism awards, heralding the resort for its beaches, boardwalk and attractions.

The Wildwoods were named “Best Beaches in New Jersey” in the 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Top Ten New Jersey Beaches public survey, sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium. Wildwoods’ beaches were also named “Best Beach for Family Vacations,” “Best Beach for Tourism,” “Best Beach for Events,” “Best Beach for Eco-Tourism” and “Best Beach for Day Trips” in the same surveys. The Wildwoods were named #1 Boardwalk in the nation by FamilyVacationCritic.com in 2012; and Smarter Travel also named the Wildwoods Boardwalk, one of “Americas Best Boardwalks.” The 2012 list of “15 Destinations on the Rise” for TripAdvisor included the Wildwoods, and Homes.com voted the Wildwoods one of “Americas Top 10 Scenic Seasides of the Summer.” The Wildwoods also received the Delaware County Daily Times 2012 Readers’ Choice Award for “Favorite Shore Town”. In addition, the Wildwoods were voted “Best Town” in the 2009 and 2011 by Philly Hot List, Jersey Shore Edition contest; and was one of Sherman’s Travel’s “Top Ten American Boardwalks” for two years in a row.

The Tourism Authority operates the Wildwoods Convention Center and acts as the island’s destination marketing organization overseeing the development, research, planning, marketing, advertising, promotion, public and media relations encompassing the tourism, meeting and convention industry in the Wildwoods. Additionally, the Authority funds, assists with and hosts more than 180 annual special events to enhance the visitor experience and extend the tourism season, including the Beach Monster Mash Truck Races, Family Nights On The Boardwalk, Friday Night Fireworks, the New Jersey State Barbeque Championships and Anglesea Blues Festival, Classic Car Shows, the International Kite Festival, Irish and Italian Festivals and the National Marbles Tournament, among others. For more information about the Wildwoods, contact the GWTIDA at 1-800-WW-By-Sea (800-992-9732) or visit its web site, www.WildwoodsNJ.com.