Place: Lake Bluff Park District Building and Sunrise Beach
Time: 11am-3pm
Weather: Cold and Cloudy until about 3 when the sun peaked out.
About 6 years ago, the Special Olympics started an event called the Polar Plunge that allowed people to raise and donate money and then run into the freezing cold lake. Today, I participated in jumping in the Lake, as Mr.Six that is.
Six Flags was a stateline sponsor for this very special event and was looking for people to dress up as Mr. Six and to jump into the Lake. As a supporter to the park and the Special Olympics, I knew this would be fun. So I asked my friend to join me and we signed up with Public Relations.
My day started at about 7:30 this morning as I got ready into my awesome Mr. Six outfit. It entailed black pants, a white dress shirt, black suspendors, a black suitcoat, a red bow tie and black rimmed glasses. I was set to pick up and my friend and my parents drove us out to Lake Bluff.
I arrived there and was directed to the Six Flags 'camp'. So there I was introduced to Michelle Hoffman, Lisa Rowe, and other Six Flags employees and other plungers.(ig ACE members). They were very welcoming and we just talked for awhile. There I met Nick(from midwestcoastermadness.com), the N.Illinois ACE rep, and other great ACE members. It was the people that really made the day. Our Public Relations Reps also had extra bow ties and black glasses for those who didn't have any and they also had bald caps of which my friend and I received. We also took many pictures. Also, we received a White Hen towel and an event sweatshirt which is very nice. Also, I believe Jim Winthrode was there, but I am not sure on that.(Ron Sevart had a good reason though not to attend
.)
We were to be bussed off to Sunrise beach as a group. Outside we saw many more Six Flags employees. That included Jim Crowley(Marketing?). So we had more pictures and we boarded the shuttle bus. I sat next to the ACE rep and experienced the only coaster ride of the day. Airtime!, On Ride photo
. We arrived at the beautiful lake and were dropped
off. We went onto the beach where I was given an innertube and scuba fins. They called over all the Mr.Sixes and they started playing "We Like to Party." We all danced and stuff for everyone and then they had a costume contest. I didn't win, but I guess it was because I didn't have friends there cheering for me. Jim Crowley won with an un-fair advantage.
(He's really bald.)
They also had costume contests for other big groups which included a Sunday Church group, superheroes, 3 characters from Shrek, Irish people, and ballerinas who were funny as heck!(guys) Chef Boyardee was also there and he slightly mooned everybody.
So it was time to jump in. 3, 2, 1...and we were off. The Six Flags group was first. The water was freezing!!! But it was very refreshing and worth it. I also got videotaped by lots of people and might be in the paper tomorrow(I was asked for my name.) It was just so cool and there were tons of people there. I talked to Michelle and we were to all meet up at the tent at the District Building for lunch. So we shuttled back and talked about coasters with some great people. My mom was really embarassing.
We returned and had catered lunch. I had pasta salad, potato salad, a warm Roast Beef sub, Chicken, pop, and mostacoli. It was very good. I sat with some of the ACE members and Lisa Rowe for lunch. Jim Crowley was also there and talked a little bit about the park and other things. They are awesome people. I also heard ABC showed up an hour after Six Flags was done plunging and that they wanted to stage a plunge. Stupid! So after awhile, we said our good-byes and we met up with Michelle Hoffman and received our 'prizes'. Then we left to go back to boring old Rockford.
I didn't ride a coaster or get that ultimate thrill. But I probably had one of the greatest days ever. I got to meet some great people, an awesome PR department, and particapate in an awesome event. Everyone should do it one day even if Six Flags is sponsoring it or not. In the end, I heard that there were about 48 people representing Six Flags. In my prize envelope, I received 2 general admission tickets, free food from Taco Bell(coupon),
a gift certificate to Noodle Mania($5), and a gift certificate to Cubby Bear($25). My friend received gift certificates to Blockbuster($5) and Applebees($15). It was more than expected and great! We will also received Media Day passes for Hurricane Harbor.
Look for pictures at soill.org and midwestcoastermadness.com.(They will arrive eventually.)
Until Next Time....
