Sunday, June 21, 2026
48.0°F

PHOTOS: 23rd Whitefish Penguin Plunge raises $94,000 for Special Olympics Montana

CASEY KREIDER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 4 months AGO
by CASEY KREIDER
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Casey Kreider is a staff photographer for the Daily Inter Lake. His work documents news, sports, wildlife, landscapes and everyday life across Northwest Montana through visual storytelling. Kreider’s keen eye captures major sporting events, community moments, and the natural beauty that defines the region. He is a graduate of Penn State University and previously worked as a photographer for Lancaster Newspapers in Pennsylvania. In 2024, he received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Mel Ruder Photograph of the Year award. IMPACT: Kreider's work brings readers closer to the people, places and moments that shape life in Northwest Montana through powerful visual journalism. | February 3, 2024 1:00 PM

Participants leapt into the frigid waters of Whitefish Lake during the 23rd annual Penguin Plunge as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, this year's event raised $94,000 for Special Olympics Montana.


    Participants react after jumping into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants in costumes line up for the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants line up for the 23rd Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants react after jumping into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants react after jumping into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Participants step out of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


ARTICLES BY CASEY KREIDER

PHOTOS: Championship Round of Montana High School Rodeo Finals
June 13, 2026 8:10 p.m.

PHOTOS: Championship Round of Montana High School Rodeo Finals

Action from the Championship Round of the Montana High School Rodeo Finals held at Majestic Valley Arena on Saturday, June 13.

PHOTOS: A trip through the Bison Range
June 17, 2026 midnight

PHOTOS: A trip through the Bison Range

Scenes from a drive through the CSKT Bison Range on Sunday, May 17.

PHOTOS: Flathead, Glacier class of 2026 graduation ceremonies
June 6, 2026 1 p.m.

PHOTOS: Flathead, Glacier class of 2026 graduation ceremonies

Photos from Flathead and Glacier high schools' graduation ceremonies held Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6.