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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- An annual northeast Missouri tradition is once again coming back and of course all for a great cause.

The 8th annual Polar Plunge to help raise money for the Special Olympics of Missouri is taking place on Saturday, February 9.

Once again people will run into the icy waters of Forest Lake at Thousand Hills State Park near Kirksville.

This year's theme is "Take A Plunge On The Wild Side" and Polar Plunge Committee Chair Tom Johnson is hoping people will live up to it.

"It's just something to do in February. There's not a whole lot going around here. It's the middle of winter and people are getting tired of it. It's something when you go dunk in the lake in the middle of winter you can look back and say you did something crazy," Johnson said.

One big difference you will notice this year is that the cost to participate went up to $75. But organizers are still hoping for a big turnout once again this year.

Same day registration will begin at noon. The plunge will take place at 2 p.m.

If you and your team would like to sign up ahead of time before the event, click here.