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The Perilous Plunge

Fundraising for Hands-On Education!

Join us for the wackiest way to support our nonprofit children's museum! The 25th annual Perilous Plunge will take place March 21, 2026 at the foot of F St, Eureka.

Person smiling and flexing with unique hat, holding a trophy by a lake, surrounded by people.
Three people in colorful wigs and tutus joyfully jump into a harbor, with boats in the background.
Person in colorful costume jumps off dock into water with boats in the background.
A group of swimmers in swimsuits lined up by the water, raising their arms in synchronized fashion.
Seven people in costumes enjoying drinks in a hot tub by the waterfront.
People in orange shirts with hats jump into a harbor, creating splashes.
Person in a hot tub on a boat holding a drink, with people and water in the background.
Person in colorful cake costume jumps into water from a dock.
Four people in orange tutus jump into water from a dock, watched by a crowd.
Two people in costumes splash into water while onlookers cheer and clap.
People in hospital gowns jumping into a harbor with boats in the background.
Three people in striped shirts jump into water from a dock, dressed as burglars with fake money bags.
Two people in animal onesies jumping into water with boats in the background.
Two people in colorful costumes fall into water from a dock, with a small boat in the background.
Three people in blue shirts jump into a body of water, one in a red superhero costume.
Person jumps into water near kayaker and boat in harbor.
Person in mid-air somersault over water near a dock.
Two people in costumes jump into water; one in superhero suit, the other in a banana outfit.
Three people in orange vests perform backflips into water, creating large splashes.
Three people in colorful costumes jumping into water near kayaks and boats.
Person in pink tutu jumping into the water, with mountains and clouds in the background.
Group in colorful costumes resembling fairy tale characters, posing outdoors with props like pickaxes.
Man in pink shirt jumps into water with knees bent, making a splash.
Three people in yellow shirts jump into a marina while another sits watching.
Two people in costumes jump into a lake, with kayakers watching in the background.
Person in pink fairy costume jumping into a lake, kayakers in the background.
Person in cow costume jumping into water, surrounded by kayakers and boats in background.
Person in colorful outfit and tutu performs on water with kayakers and paddleboarder in background.
Costumed people jumping into a lake with kayakers in the background on a sunny day.
Person in blue dress being playfully thrown into water with onlookers watching.
People in tutus jump into water during an event near kayaks and boats.
People in blue shirts jumping into a lake from a dock during a group event.
Two people in costumes jump into a lake while others kayak nearby.
Person in pink costume jumps into lake, surrounded by kayakers.
Two people flipping into water from a dock, while another swims nearby.
Person in pirate costume jumps into water from a dock, covering their mouth.
Three people jumping off a dock into water while a crowd watches behind them.
Person in crayon costume jumping into water from dock, crowd watching in background.
Person in mid-air over a dock, surrounded by an audience, near traffic cones.
Person in superhero costume diving off a dock into water.
Three people in yellow shirts jump off a pier into water with kayaks in the background.
Five people in colorful costumes jumping off a dock into a lake during a fun event.
Person in colorful costume with a swan hat dancing near water.

TAKE THE PLUNGE!!

The things we do for kids!

The 25th Annual Perilous Plunge will take place on March 21, 2026

Gather your teams and join us for another wacky event to support the Redwood Discovery Museum!

What is the Perilous Plunge? Only the most fun you’ll ever have supporting a nonprofit children’s museum!

The Perilous Plunge sets the Redwood Discovery Museum’s  budget for the year, and helps us provide scholarships, programs, exhibits, and more. The Plunge is how we are able to continue offering  fun, educational, positive childhood experience to Humboldt families and beyond.

This wonderful and wacky event brings out the kid in all of us, all while supporting hands-on educational fun for children of all ages.

Join the parade lead by Cal Poly’s Marching Lumberjacks, jump into the bay, then head to the VIP tent for a soak in the hot tub, warm lunch, and a cocktail (21+) and enjoy the awards ceremony. Awards for Best Jump, Wackiest Costume, and more will follow the plunging.

Participants can join a team or plunge individually. Collect pledges from family, friends, and anyone who would like to see you jump into Humboldt Bay for a good cause. Minimum pledge amount is $175 per plunger to receive a T-shirt. Individuals and teams can sign up at www.redwooddiscoverymuseum.org to start fundraising today! Once you have registered, post your badge to your social media, email your link, or ask for donations in person.

How to Plunge:

1.Register

Register as an individual or a team (of unlimited number) online. Plungers must be at least 18 years of age to register.

2.Collect

Collect Plunge Pledges from your friends and family (and any person who wishes you’d jump in the bay). Payments can be made online or collected in person. Each Plunger is required to raise $175 to receive a T-Shirt. If you are part of a team, your pledges must average out to $175 per plunger to receive a shirt.

 

3.Dress Way Up

Plungers tend to wear their Humboldt best at this community event. Costume is a category on which you will be judged. Teams may dress up with a theme or in matching outfits (or not!).

 

4.Get There!

Saturday March 21, 2026

*11:30am- registration begins at Clark Plaza, 3rd and E Streets in Eureka. The earlier you get there, the sooner you can get in the water (and then the hot tub!)

TEAMS: Please ensure all members of your team get registered at the same time. Please do not sign up without all members of your team present. This will help keep the flow of the registration process.

Please bring any additional pledges you have collected, a dry change of clothes, and ID to confirm age (no underage drinking for the children’s museum!) You will receive your Plunge T-shirt at the registration site and we will collect your dry clothes and take them to the VIP tent for you.

*1:15pm – registration closes

*1:30pm- Parade starts to the foot of F Street

*1:45pm- Plunge!!!

*times may change slightly if tides are not cooperating, but we’ll let you know!

Right after plunging: head to the VIP tent for a soak in the hot tub, cocktail or beverage, and a warm lunch. Once you have recovered, you can change into your dry clothes in the changing rooms (we will bring them to the VIP tent for you).

5.Plunge and be Judged

Awards and Trophies will be given out after all plungers have had their turn. Awards include:  Grand Poohbahs,  Rookie of the Year,  Best Jump, Best Costume, Best Team Jump, the Kayak Judges Award and Team Royalty.

6.Reap Rewards

Our undying gratitude for supporting children’s hands-on educational fun here in Humboldt County.

T-shirts will be given to all participants that raised at least $175.

A hot tub, cocktail (21+),  and warm lunch await the brave plungers when they get out of the bay.

Trophies will be awarded to: Grand Poohbahs, Rookie of the Year, Best Jump, Best Costume, Best Team Jump, and more!

 

I WANT TO TAKE THE PLUNGE! (or just donate to a brave plunger!)
Sponsor the Plunge! click here to see how your business can partner with us

Thank you to our 2025 Perilous Plunge sponsors!

AFSCME LOCAL 1684
REDWOOD CAPITAL BANK
COAST CENTRAL CREDIT UNION
NORTHCOAST CO-OP
PIERSON’S BUILDING CENTER
BICOASTAL MEDIA
PURE WATER SPAS
TIMES PRINTING
RECOLOGY
LOTUS MOUNTAIN PRINTING
​PAULI-SHAW INSURANCE AGENCY
KEN AND BET PINKERTON
CITY AMBULANCE OF EUREKA
EUREKA BROADCASTING COMPANY
JONES & HINDBAUGH DENTAL
RICK GREANEY
MERCER-FRASER

PLUNGE FAQS