PHOTOS: Not-so-cold Polar Bear Plunge at Acworth Beach

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PHOTOS: Not-so-cold Polar Bear Plunge at Acworth Beach

Participants in annual event at Acworth Beach help fund year-round sports training and competition for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. The wintertime tradition had warmer weather this year.

Mark Fazio (center) heads back toward land after running into the lake during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The annual event at Acworth Beach helps fund year-round sports training and competition for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Acworth Police Department Capt. Mike Taylor and his fellow team members participate in the tug-of-war tournament during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Mark Fazio (left) runs toward the lake during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Participants in the annual event at Acworth Beach help raise funds for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Shana Adams (left) with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office cheers on her team during the costume contest before the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Jack Mcentire (left) and his fellow team members participate in the tug-of-war tournament during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Participants in the annual event at Acworth Beach help raise funds for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Teams participate in the tug-of-war tournament during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Participants in the annual event at Acworth Beach help raise funds for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Teams prepare for the judging of the costume contest held before the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

John Russell participates in the costume contest during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Josh Ange (right) and his fellow team members participate in the tug-of-war tournament during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Participants in the annual event at Acworth Beach help raise funds for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Jack Mcentire (right) and his fellow team members participate in the tug-of-war tournament during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Participants in the annual event at Acworth Beach help raise funds for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office team cheers after winning the costume contest held before the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The annual event at Acworth Beach helps fund year-round sports training and competition for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Teams participate in the tug-of-war tournament during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The annual event at Acworth Beach helps fund year-round sports training and competition for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

A Lambert High School team participates in the tug-of-war tournament during the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Acworth Beach on Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

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Credit: Steve Schaefer

Mark Fazio (center) heads back toward land after running into the lake during the Polar Bear Plunge in Acworth on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The annual event at Acworth Beach helps fund year-round sports training and competition for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. (Photo: Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

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