Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge to benefit children in Manatee, Sarasota

After years of people showing up to the annual Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge in costume, event organizers have decided to incorporate a costume contest.

Organizers of the event, which benefits local charities for children, have seen costumes of all sorts, including bumble bees and more than one Santa Claus.

"You name it, they were there," said Jan Crudele, an organizer.

The main attraction is a dip into Gulf of Mexico on New Year's Day. The plungers will meet on Bradenton Beach at Gulf Drive and Seventh Street South, a slightly different location than last year, because of construction. The plunge happens at noon, and those planning to enter the costume contest should be on the beach no later than 11:30 a.m. Jan. 1.

"So many participants each year have shown up in different costumes we thought how much fun would it be to hold a contest?" said Rayma Stowe, owner of Clancy's Irish Pub.

Run by Clancy's on Cortez Road, the event has raised more than $144,000 since 2009 for Caring for Children Charities, a nonprofit helping children and families in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The nonprofit is run by Florida Winefest & Auction. This year's goal is to bring in $25,000 through pledges, raffles and silent auctions.

Other charities that benefit include Every Child, the Early Learning Coalition, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, HOPE Family Services, Take Stock in Children and Turning Point. The Caring for Children Charities motto is: "Give where you live," Crudele said.

"We need to help the kids who live right in our own neighborhoods," she said.

The popular post-plunge party is where people hesitant to jump in the water can bid for silent auction items and prize drawings. One of the items up for bid this year is a guitar signed by country star Luke Bryan. There will also be live music by Tropix Trio.

Weather for the plunge is typically balmy, although some native Floridians who participate every year say the water is cold and refreshing.

There have only been a few chilly years. Last year, it was slightly cloudy, slightly windy and 66 degrees.

Forecasts for Friday show partly cloudy with a high of 81 degrees and a low of 64.

The warm weather likely means the Gulf won't be too chilly. As of Wednesday it was a balmy 72 degrees.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge to benefit children in Manatee, Sarasota ."