Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Braelynn Blank and Jimmy Stenquist of New Ulm were given a countdown to jump, but on one, Stenquist clowned around, held up and let Blank go alone. He followed shortly after.

NEW ULM — Downtown Minnesota Street was host to one of the warmest — but also wettest — Arctic Plunges Saturday.

Since 2019, Lamplighter owner Herb Knutson has hosted an Arctic Plunge event to raise money for charitable organizations in the community. Typically the plunges are held in February, but, as has been the case for many events in recent years, the COVID pandemic changed all that.

The pandemic made it impossible to host the event in 2021 and 2022. This year, the Arctic Beach Party Plunge event was moved to August. More than a dozen individuals who raised money for various nonprofits lined up to jump into a pool set up on Minnesota Street between the Lamplighter and Kaiserhoff.

This year the money raised went to benefit the New Ulm Police Department, Fire Department, Humane Society and Food Shelf.

The pre-plunge ceremony began with a special award given to the family of Amy Bloedel. Bloedel died Sept. 2020. Knutson said Bloedel was instrumental in getting the New Ulm Arctic Plunge started. Her husband, Garland, and daughter, Emily, attended to accept a special award.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Dave Weldy of New Ulm dressed like Fred Flintstone of Bedrock, took a flying leap into the Beach Party plunge pool.

Emily also performed as one of the plungers. She jumped to honor her mom and raise money for the Humane Society. She said her mom loved animals and loved the Arctic Plunge event.

Despite the shift to a warmer season, those attending the plunge still had to deal with the elements — instead of the cold, it was a rainstorm.

Rain fell off and on Saturday, with a major downpour hitting just as jumpers were preparing to take plunges into the pool. This meant that everyone who was not under the canopy got wet, whether they jumped into the pool or not.

Those jumping into the pool were judged on costumes. This year, Jimmy Stenquist took first place for his clown outfit, with Gary Sprenger taking second for his cosplay of John Lennon, and Dave Weldy taking third as a Fred Flintstone look-alike.

The plunge was only part of the fun. The event included an auction and raffle drawing. At 5 p.m. “Hotel Blue” performed a concert inside the Lamplighter.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Teresa Grams jumps into the pool as the Pink Panther. The plunge helped raise money for various organizations, including the local Humane Society, of which Grams is a volunteer.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Emily Bloedel of Denver, Colorado, takes a plunge while wearing a colorful tutu. Bloedel jumped in memory of her mother, Amy Bloedel, who help organized the first New Ulm Arctic Plunge.