2026 Polar Plunge will close Richland’s Columbia Point Marina Park

The Columbia Point Marina Park boat launch and parking lot will close Saturday for the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge.

The city of Richland said it will close much of the park between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb., 7, for safety.

The Tri-Cities Polar Plunge & 5K begins at 10 a.m., with participants paying $15 for the privilege of dashing into the Columbia River mid-winter.

Special Olympics Washington expects to raise $350,000 to support year-round programs for people with disabilities at a series of plunge events across Washington.

The full schedule includes plunges in Seattle on Feb. 13 and 14, in Wenatchee on Feb. 21, at North Sound on Feb. 22, Tacoma March 7 and Anacortes on March 14.

Register for the Tri-Cities Polar Plunge & 5K at impact.sowa.org.

This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 3:31 PM.