Lady Gaga Among Polar Plungers At North Avenue Beach
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Thousands braced the frigid waters of Lake Michigan to take the polar plunge, reports WBBM's Rob Hart.
Al Roker, Lady Gaga and the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band were among the 6,000 people who ran into Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach for this year's edition of the Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics.
Amy Pilkowski from St. John, Indiana was among those taking the plunge for the first time.
"Why not?" she said. "Early March, why not jump into Lake Michigan? What else am I doing this morning?"
Some plungers threw tailgate parties in the parking lots near the beach. Megan Hannigan of Lansing says that's her plan for next year.
"Probably have some whiskey, beer, sausage, a little breakfast," she said.
The 6,000 participants is a new record for the event. Organizers credit social media along with appearances from celebrities like Lady Gaga, who took the plunge for her second time, and Jimmy Fallon, who did it two years ago.