Snowmobiles will be a part of Austin’s annual Paint The Town Pink this year and will join polar-plungers at East Side Lake.

The Spam Town Snow Drifters are organizing the first Snowmobile Speed Run at 11 a.m. Jan. 31 for vintage and newer snowmobiles. There will be three classes for snowmobiles.

“It’s all different kinds of sleds, vintage and newer sleds, and it should just be different and fun,” Austin Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Kim Underwood said.

Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. in the parking area on East Side Lake’s north side, across from the plunge site. Entry for the speed run is $5 for three runs on a 600-foot-long race stretch. The race is against the clock as the participant makes three runs and tries to get the most consistent time for all three. Prizes will be awarded for top speeds, and spectators can watch for free.

“It’s fun and it’s for an awesome cause, and it’s for everybody, so come down and have fun,” Hormel Institute Director of Development and Public Relations Gail Dennison said.

The snowmobiles will race across the lake if the ice proves thick enough. Organizers will be doing test-holes throughout the week to ensure it is safe for participants.

Later that day, the third annual Plunging for Pink into East Side Lake will start at 2 p.m. at the boat launch in East Side Lake Park, located along Oakland Place Northeast. The annual plunge has raised about $55,000 in two years for The Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research. Last year’s plunge attracted more than 200 participants.

Vision 2020 Waterways, Austin Parks & Recreation, Austin Street Department and the Austin Fire Department — firefighters volunteer to assist in the water — all help put on the event.

“We’re excited for another great plunge and we’ve made some improvements to ensure we get through the plunge teams more quickly this year,” said Joe Muzik, the plunge’s head organizer from Vision 2020 Waterways, in a press release. “It’s definitely a very entertaining day with our emcee Cody Anderson, wild and creative plunge teams, and meaningful tributes.”

The plunge

Plunge participants are asked to donate or raise at least $50 for registration, with all money being donated to The Hormel Institute for breast cancer research. People can jump as an individual or with a plunge team; they are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of their scheduled jump time to get signed in, turn in donations and get ready for their turn.

“I think it’s a great cause,” Underwood said. “I think people come together and it touches everyone.”

A week prior, all plunge participants will be emailed a schedule of the plunges. During the plunge, an emcee will announce the team name, the names of team members, money raised by the team and any special words or tributes from the team.

AgStar Financial Services is also offering a $5,000 matching gift if a plunge team can raise at least that amount in donations. AgStar also plans to make an additional $5,000 match as part of other Paint the Town Pink festivities this year.

Austin firefighters and paramedics will be on site for safety. After plunging, participants will enter heated, enclosed trailers to warm up and change out of their wet clothes. Hy-Vee Food Stores also is sponsoring a tent for food and beverage, including Caribou Coffee, at East Side Lake for the two Jan. 31 events, with proceeds being donated to the Institute. The tent will be near the plunge site on the lake’s east shore.

A post-plunge party will be offered once again at Torge’s Live in the Austin Holiday Inn, starting with a meal at 6 p.m. with food donated by Hormel Foods Corp. and Hy-Vee. Plungers will eat for free; other guests can eat for $10 per person. An awards ceremony for the plunge will be done before 9 p.m. when the band Mister Peabody performs at Torge’s as part of the evening.

Since 2011, the Austin area’s Paint the Town Pink efforts have raised more than $362,000 for breast cancer research at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota in Austin. It all started with the only event in 2011 being the first Austin Bruins Paint the Rink Pink hockey game that raised more than $22,000. This year, PTTP organizers are striving to top the $500,000 mark in overall fundraising for five years and raise even more donations beyond that.

Other local towns have also joined in the PTTP fun.

“These other events, people are just jumping on the bandwagon,” Underwood said. “And the other cities, it’s exciting when you think about it.”

Funds raised through PTTP in 2011 and 2012 went toward acquiring technology to accelerate breast cancer research. Donations the past two years have been distributed as “seed” grants to researchers at The Hormel Institute for new breast cancer projects. These funds greatly help researchers explore new ideas and gather preliminary data vital for seeking major research grants. While directed at breast cancer, PTTP-funded research includes projects that affect other types of cancers as well.

“I think that’s what it’s all about is raising money, and when you start getting other companies to match things for others, that just multiplies and I think just helps people out,” Underwood said.

Austin’s Paint the Town Pink will officially run from Jan. 31 to Feb. 8, featuring pink flags, ribbons and events throughout the city. The marquee event is the Austin Bruins’ fifth annual “Paint the Rink Pink” hockey game Feb. 7 at Riverside Arena.

Plunge registration and information are available at www.plungingforpink.com. For a complete list of PTTP events, go to www.hi.umn.edu and “Click for Pink” at the top of the homepage. Paint the Town Pink and various other PTTP groups also have Facebook pages updated frequently. You also can contact PTTP Director Kathi Finley at 507-460-0259 or by email at GoPTTP@gmail.com.