Immediate Release                                                                 Contact: Justin Meyers
February 11, 2008                                                                               (516) 869-7794

Town of North Hempstead Announces First Annual Winterfest

Winterfest ’08 to Feature Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Port Washington, NY – Supervisor Jon Kaiman and the Town of North Hempstead’s Business, Tourism and Development Corporation (BTDC) is proud to announce its first annual Winterfest featuring the Polar Plunge on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Bar Beach from 9:00am to 1:00pm. The Polar Plunge at Bar Beach raised more than $80,000 for the Special Olympics of New York in 2007. The Town of North Hempstead invites residents to participate in this unique and wacky experience by Plunging or coming to enjoy all of the other activities featured at Winterfest ’08.

“I would like to invite everyone to participate in the town’s first ever Winterfest,” said Supervisor Kaiman. “I look forward to all the activities offered at Winterfest ‘08 especially the Polar Plunge, where for the second year in a row, I too will be Plunging into the frigid waters of Bar Beach.”

Winterfest activities include the Polar Plunge, a Chili Cook-Off Competition where Fire Departments from across the Island will compete for the title of “Best Chili on Long Island”, a real Marine helicopter landing, ice carving and sculptures, children activities, informational displays sponsored by the police department, a free breakfast provided by Panera Bread and much more.

To register for the Polar Plunge logon to the website where you can create your own Personal Plunge Page and tell the story of why you are plunging and what Special Olympics means to you. Plungers are asked to raise a minimum of $100 to take the plunge. Students with a valid ID are asked to raise a minimum of $25. Visit www.SpecialOlympicsNY.org to get started, or call 311.

Winterfest is brought to you in partnership with the BTDC, Panera Bread, Police Benevolent Association Inc., NYS Fraternal Order of Police, Law Enforcement Torch Run, Radio Disney, New York Lottery, NYSUL, Apple & Eve, and CSEA.

Supervisor Kaiman added, “I want to thank each co-sponsor, especially Panera Bread, for their generous commitment and I look forward to joining them in making this the best Polar Plunge yet.”