Like the celebrant of a strange baptism — accompanied by bagpipers in yellow waterproof boots and attended by thousands — actor Vince Vaughn clasped his hands at his waist and fell backwards into the 33-degree waters of Lake Michigan.
Thus began the 15th annual Polar Plunge benefitting Special Olympics Chicago.
“It’s too late to turn back now,” Vaughn told a crowd of thousands before marching slowly, one hand in his pocket, to the waterfront Sunday morning.
Singer Lady Gaga plunged, too. Ice stuck to her platinum blond hair as she wove through a crush of media with her fiance — “Chicago Fire” actor Taylor Kinney — to privacy and warmth.
Mayoral candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia also went in, overcoming a phobia of cold water.
“I just went crazy,” said Garcia, who apparently regained his faculties when asked whether former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson will throw his support behind Garcia for the upcoming mayoral runoff.
“We’ll see,” said a euphoric Garcia, crossing his fingers and noting the two had a “good conversation” on Saturday.
More than 4,500 people made the plunge into a watering hole carved into the ice by heavy machinery. Hordes more spectated. Last year about 3,200 people participated.
Borut Vujic, 35, a civil engineer from Morton Grove, and his merry band of “Flintstone” characters — complete with a crudely fabricated Stone Age automobile — fortified themselves with cans of “Old Style” before making the plunge.
“We’re hoping to take home top costume prize,” Vujic said. “Last year, a bunch of Lego Blackhawks won.”
They faced fierce competition, including a dignified Abraham Lincoln and dozens of zombies.
Blackhawks jerseys were popular plunge apparel this year.
Vaughn, who grew up in Lake Forest and sported a Jonathan Toews jersey, stumbled for a moment while emerging from the water, but did not scream, squeal or dash for land like last year’s celebrity plunger, “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon, did.
“When you first come out it really hits you. But, that being said, it was a blast. It was actually a lot of fun,” Vaughn told Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker shortly after the dip. “You always get so much more out of it, knowing you’re doing something for a worthy cause. You get inspiration and happiness out of doing something that involves true participation — much more so than merely contributing by writing a check.”
The event raise more than $1.1 million, surpassing last year’s total of just over $1 million.
Vaughn, 44, agreed to plunge after a social media campaign that used the hashtag #vinnydippin. “When we asked him, he said ‘Yes’ right away,” said Susan Nicholl, executive director of Special Olympics Chicago.
On Saturday, Vaughn attended a screening of his new film, “Unfinished Business,” with troops at Edwards Air Force Base in California before boarding a redeye flight in Los Angeles. He arrived at O’Hare Airport at 5:15 a.m. and came straight to North Avenue Beach for the plunge, Nicholl said.
Other notable plungers: cast members of “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.” — including David Eigenberg and Jon Seda — Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and 19th Ward Ald. Matt O’Shea.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who plunged last year with Fallon and 3,200 other brave souls, declined the offer this year citing his busy schedule, Nicholl said.
It was rumored Vaughn was heading to “compare chilly notes” over lunch with his fellow celebrity plungers before heading back to Los Angeles Sunday afternoon.
Some highlights of the event from Mitch Dudek and Ashlee Rezin:
