Photos courtesy of Ed Lee, St. Peter Chamber of Commerce Boulder Creek assisted living director Jan Mason, at far right, held hands with Lori Coleman (at center) and Lori’s daughter Joni as they jumped into an ice-cold pond in St. Peter on Saturday. Mason was raising money for a new program for Boulder Creek residents in Marshall, while the Coleman family were celebrating Lori’s 60th birthday.

ST. PETER — It wasn’t Jan Mason’s first time taking a dip in a frozen lake. But even though she had past experience, Mason said landing in the frigid water was still a shock.

“It was exhilarating. It took our breath away,” Mason said of the experience. “You’re just trying to get out as soon as you can.”

Mason joined Lori Coleman and Coleman’s daughter, Joni, in participating in the Polar Plunge event held in St. Peter on Saturday. Mason had pledged to take the plunge as a fundraiser for a new virtual field trip program at Boulder Creek Assisted Living.

Mason said the fundraiser exceeded its $300 goal by about $100.

“It’s exciting, and I think our residents are really going to enjoy (the program),” Mason said.

The field trip program includes virtual reality equipment and other materials that will allow Boulder Creek residents to “visit” locations around the world. Mason said she thinks Boulder Creek will be able to try out the field trips starting in March.

Mason participated in a Polar Plunge about 10 years ago in Canby. This year’s experience in St. Peter was lots of fun, she said.

“It was really a celebration,” she said. “Everyone brought friends and family to watch, so they had stands set up.” Everyone was offering participants high-fives, she said.

Mason said the Polar Plunge brought together hundreds of people in different groups, from college athletes to law enforcement officers and firefighters.

Lori Coleman and her family were celebrating Lori’s 60th birthday with the Plunge, Mason said.

Mason, Lori and Joni dressed up for the occasion, with feather boas and tutus over their swimming gear. Mason was wearing a purple tutu and wig to represent dementia awareness.

“It was cold and windy,” Mason said. “But compared to when we did it in Canby 10 years ago, it was luxurious.”

The event organizers offered hot tubs for participants after they got out of the cold water, and they had heated tents to change in.

Mason said she and Coleman have decided to do another Polar Plunge in 10 years.

“This is part of what makes Minnesotans so hardy. We do crazy stuff like this,” Mason said.