LAKE SAINT LOUIS • "Plunge!" came the command, and what appeared to be 19 hippies in matching orange T-shirts sloshed into the chilly waters of Lake Sainte Louise.

Seconds later, they climbed onto the beach, shivering, dripping and jubilant. They were among 462 who braved the cold waters Saturday for the Ninth Annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Missouri. The brightly colored beads, wigs and star-shaped sunglasses they wore fit their "hippie" theme, but it was the T-shirt and the group's name that proclaimed their inspiration.

For the past few years, they have called themselves the "IF Crew" in honor of Izzy Franklin, 6, of Lake Saint Louis. Izzy has Down syndrome. She isn't old enough to compete in the Special Olympics, but she hopes to one day.

Their T-shirts read "No Mo' Chemo," a celebratory and hopeful nod to Izzy's final chemotherapy treatment for leukemia, which is scheduled for Monday.

"This year is special," said Dale Franklin, 39, Izzy's father and the crew's leader.

The plunge looked like a carnival. Swimmers dressed as pirates, superheroes, professional wrestlers and characters from Dr. Seuss books paraded in front of judges in an effort to win "Golden Plunger" awards for best costumes. In groups, they splashed into the lake, then dashed indoors to change out of their soaking garb. Afterward, refreshments awaited them in a tent outside the Lake Saint Louis Community Association Clubhouse.

Deejays from WIL (92.3 FM) emceed, often playing music to match groups' themes. ZZ Top pulsed through the speakers as the first swimmers — Lake Saint Louis Police Chief Michael Force and Alderman Kathy Schweikert — danced into the water wearing beards that evoked the Texas rockers' signature appearance.

The Lake Saint Louis, O'Fallon, Mo., and Wentzville police departments partnered to make the event happen, and the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department assisted. Lake Saint Louis firefighters and paramedics waited on the beach in case any swimmers needed help.

Jennifer Brown, development director for Special Olympics Missouri, said the event had raised $93,000 as of Saturday afternoon, but she expected the total to rise when online donations were counted.

This year's event was the first to feature rain or a drizzle, but temperatures were in the mid-40s, and swimmers were in a good mood. "They're going to get wet anyway," Brown said. "What's a little rain?"

David Reynolds, 45, of St. Charles, another member of the IF Crew, said the temperatures were much warmer than last year, when a few inches of snow and freezing water shocked swimmers' bodies.

The money raised supports 7,200 athletes in the St. Louis area.

Among them are Bret Hammond, 10, of St. Charles, and Lyn Krucky, 40, of Warrenton, who helped plungers keep track of their towels.

Krucky has participated in a host of sports and competed in team handball in the world games. She currently swims and plays basketball.

Bret plays golf, said his father Jim, 55, and this was his first time witnessing the plunge. Jim Hammond was moved by watching the swimmers. "They're the kind of people who make the acceptance and love grow," he said.