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Photo Courtesy of Suh Events
Make a splash at the Polar Plunge at Lake Sammamish State Park !
Polar Plunge returns on New Year’s Day 2024. Festivities will begin at 10:30 a.m. with registration, music, and merriment on the shores of Sunset Beach. The crowd will “plunge” at noon.
You may have heard that other lakes within King County are experiencing algae blooms right now. We have confirmed with Public Health Seattle & King County that the water at Sunset Beach is safe for plungers! PHSKC analyzed water samples collected on December 26th and found no toxins present, observed no algae in the water, and have not received any reports of algae in the water in the southern half of Lake Sammamish. If you are concerned about plunging, we still invite you to come join the merriment on the beach, warm up by the fires and with a cup of chowder, participate in a First Day Hike with State Park staff, and ring in the new year with your community!
The first 300 registered participants will receive a Polar Plunge souvenir pair of socks, souvenir pin, commemorative sticker and other coupons and swag from our event partners, including Ivar's. Registration fee is a $10 minimum donation per person.
Spectators are welcome to come out to cheer on the athletes as they takea dunk in the chilly waters of Lake Sammamish.
Schedule for the Plunge:
Registration opens 10:30
First Day Hikes w/WSP Interpretive Specialist: 10:30 & 11:00
Costume Contest judging: 11:30
Plunge at 12:00
Washington State Parks also invites the public to ring in the new year during its annual First Day Hikes event on Jan. 1, 2024. Hikes will be an invigorating 15 to 20 minutes. An all-ages experience, these roughly half mile hikes will feature uneven terrain. Weather dependent the trail may be slippery, icy or snow-covered. Please dress for the weather and bring sturdy shoes. Meet the WSP interpretive specialist at the registration table for a 10:30 or 11:00 hike.
First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks, encouraging people to get outdoors on New Year’s Day. Last year, nearly 55,000 people hiked over 133,000 miles during these free events throughout the nation. New Year’s Day also marks the first state-managed land free day of 2023. Visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park at Lake Sammamish State Park.
Ivar’s will be onsite to serve complimentary clam chowder! Coffee and other beverages and donuts will also be available.
Costume Contest:
Gather your friends or colleagues together and organize a team, or just come solo. Costumes and team t-shirts are encouraged!
This year’s costume contest includes three categories:
Holiday Festiveness- antlers, polar bears, dreidels, oh my! Any way you celebrate the season, we want to celebrate with you!
80’s Throwback- crimped hair, leg warmers, neon. Synthesizer music optional
Pacific Northwest- we want to see your creativity!
Entry to the Costume Contest is included with Polar Plunge registration (only registered participants are eligible to participate in the contest). Costume contest participants will indicate interest at check in and receive entry marker. Costume contest will occur on the main stage at 11:30.
A winner in each category will be chosen and a grand prize winner will receive a prize pack donated by Patagonia. Runners up will receive FLSSP prize packs.
Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park is a 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to enhancing and improving Lake Sammamish State Park for the benefit of the entire community.
Glimpse of 2022 Polar Plunge Fun at Lake Sammamish State park