ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The 39th annual Lakeside Winter Celebration returned to Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the festivities was the annual Rochester Polar Plunge. More than 2,000 people rushed into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario to raise money for Special Olympics New York. See photos here:

The free Lakeside Winter Celebration invites the community to embrace and celebrate winter. On Saturday, there were family activities including a snow sculpture contest and chili contest, horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, professional ice and snow sculpture demos, food and drink, arts and craft vendors, live music, a heated tent with wine and beer tastings, as well as skating in the park’s synthetic ice rink. The evening ended with a fireworks show over the Genesee River.

On Sunday the celebration continued with the Polar Plunge. Eight-time Polar Plunger Elizabeth Smith explained why she returns every year to support the cause.

“Knowing that those children and young adults with special needs may not be able to compete in their events and achieve their dreams without our support, that hurts my heart.”

Some people took part in the Polar Plunge as teams. That includes members of the West Irondequoit Central School District. Their team, the Irondequoit Icy Eagles, was the largest team among all plungers for the second straight year. The team of 60 raised over $11,000 for the Special Olympics.