Unusual weather boosts Sea Isle's weekend events Record crowds at Sea Isle City Polar Plunge and Autism 5K

SEA ISLE CITY - Organizers said big crowds attended two annual Presidents Day weekend events that coincided with unseasonably warm weather.

More than 2,000 people took an ocean dip Saturday in the 23rd annual Polar Bear Plunge, said LaCosta Lounge owner Jimmy Bennett.

It may not have been the biggest turnout, he said, but it was the warmest.

"The weekend was absolutely fantastic. The turnout was good. The weather was perfect," Bennett said.

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Springlike temperatures brought shore towns to life and created traffic jams and parking shortages throughout the barrier islands.

On Sunday, the Mike's Seafood 5K Run and Walk for Autism had more than 3,000 participants, the most in its nine years. There were 950 runners and 2,100 walkers.

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Mike Monichetti, who organizes the autism support fundraiser, said it raised a record $135,000, and donations were still coming in.

The total raised for the plunge, which supports local business organizations, was not available.

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Contact:609-272-7251 CLowe@pressofac.com Twitter @clairelowe