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PHOTOS: Frigid Whitefish Winter Carnival Penguin Plunge raises money for Special Olympics

CASEY KREIDER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 7 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 8, 2025 2:30 PM

Participants jumped into the frigid waters of Whitefish Lake during the 24th annual Penguin Plunge as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the event raises funds for Special Olympics Montana.

    Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 
 
 
    The team from Murdoch's in Columbia Falls gets ready to jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 wait in line to jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 
 
 


    Viking divas watch the action at the Penguin Plunge, part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, at City Beach on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 
 
 


    The Flathead Electric team jumps into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 
 
 



    The team from Murdoch's in Columbia Falls jumps into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 
 
 


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