Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

By the time you read this, it will be Jan. 7 or 8, and that means we have exactly one month until Albert Lea’s annual Big Freeze winter festival on Feb. 8.

For the second year in a row, the committee for the All Together Albert Lea Inclusive Playground and Miracle Field is hosting the Plunge for the Park, in which people can form teams and jump into the icy Fountain Lake to raise money for the playground.

Last year participants lucked out in that the lake was mostly thawed out, though still chilly, from the looks on people’s faces once they touched the water.

We are nearing the end of fundraising for the playground and then will begin fundraising for the miracle field, which is planned next to the parking lot that will be constructed adjacent to the inclusive playground at Edgewater Park.

A miracle field is a baseball field made out of the same pour-in-place rubber surfacing at the playground, which allows anyone, regardless of abilities, the opportunity to participate.

As of the time I am writing this, we only have two teams that have signed up to jump in the lake. The teams are from Maricle Martial Arts and the Trinity Lutheran Church youth group. We’ve appreciated their enthusiasm in getting on board quickly for this cause, but we’re a little worried that we haven’t had any others sign up to participate so far.

Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s a lot to ask to jump into the lake. It’s not for the faint of heart. But we’d love to see the same enthusiasm we saw last year again this year. Last year we raised over $12,000 from this fundraiser, which went toward our over $1 million raised so far.

In case you haven’t been into Edgewater Park lately, it will also be fun for you to drive into the park and see across from the pavilion where the playground has been built and will be opening in the spring. The parking lot, sidewalk and lighting still have to be built, but otherwise the playground structure itself is in place.

The plunge is slated to start at 11 a.m. at the lake nearby the Edgewater Bay Pavilion.

After the plunge, the chili cookoff and bake sale will begin in the pavilion from noon to 2 p.m., and anyone who wants to try their hand at chili is invited to participate.

There is no cost to bring chili, but if you want to taste chili, it is $6 per person (or $5 with a food donation to the Salvation Army). Prizes will be given out to the top three best chilis, as voted on by the tasters.

We hope to see you there!

If you want to bring chili or if you have a team that wants to jump in the lake for a good cause, please reach out to me at sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com or on the All Together Albert Lea Inclusive Playground Facebook page.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Wednesday.