The Patchogue Chamber Nonprofit Committee will be postponing the annual Patchogue Plunge, a jump into the winter Great South Bay, to Sunday, March 1, at the Sandspit Marina, 116 Brightwood Street.
The decision was made after the onslaught of sub-freezing temperatures made the event impossible with the Great South Bay turning into ice.
“The Patchogue Chamber Nonprofit Committee has decided to postpone the Patchogue Plunge in the interest of public safety. With below-freezing temperatures, warnings regarding prolonged outdoor exposure, and frozen conditions on the Bay, we believe this decision is the most responsible course of action for all participants, volunteers, and spectators,” said Michele Cayea, head of Community Engagement at Patchogue-Medford Library and event organizer.
Attendees on March 1 can expect bagels and coffee to be served at 8:30 a.m., with check-in beginning at 9 a.m. and the plunge scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Participants can register early atPatchogue.com
Tickets are $35 to plunge and $10 for a spectator ticket and food. Spectators without food and children are free.
For 2026, sponsorships of the Plunge will support eight local nonprofits, each providing essential services that strengthen lives and families across the community.
“This is a unique, one-time opportunity to make a lasting impact on multiple organizations at a single event, helping them continue their vital work during a time when many nonprofits face some of their greatest challenges,” according to the Plunge sponsorship literature.
During the plunge, one nonprofit will be randomly selected to receive a larger portion of the funds raised. Sponsors can “witness the relief, excitement, and gratitude of the organizations and the community they serve.”
“The Patchogue Plunge has always been about more than a moment in the cold—it’s about community. After five years of being part of this event, I’m proud that in 2026, we’re expanding our impact to support eight organizations doing vital work when it’s needed most,” said Cayea.
“We wanted this year’s Polar Plunge to highlight the strength of our entire community. By partnering with multiple local nonprofits, we’re able to amplify the impact of one event and ensure support reaches people in different ways across our district. A strong community is rooted in collaboration—coming together allows us to extend our impact and strengthen the support systems our neighbors depend on,” said Samantha Wood, of Patchogue Medford Youth and Community Services, who is working alongside Cayea.
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