Over 200 people signed up to take the plunge into the Boston Harbor for the 14th Annual JetBlue Shamrock Splash at noon Sunday, raising funds for programs at the region’s public beaches.
The annual JetBlue Shamrock Splash kicked off at 11 a.m. at Constitution Beach in East Boston, featuring activities like a costume contest and a collective run into the Harbor.
Funds from the event go to Save the Harbor’s Better Beaches Program partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, supporting free events and programs on public beaches stretching from Nahant to Nantasket.
The organization behind the event, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, is a nonprofit advocating for clean water and public investment in the Boston Harbor, Boston Harbor Islands and public beaches in the region.
The Harbor area reached a high of 52 degrees and a low of 33 degrees Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The water was predicted to be “a refreshing 40 degrees: perfect weather for some fun in the water,” Save the Harbor advertised.
JetBlue offered up free roundtrip flights to the winners of best costume and biggest fundraiser at the event.
The 2023 program raised over $300,000. The money was distributed in grants to 95 organizations, supporting “free beach festivals, concerts, sailing and kayaking instruction and youth programs in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull,” the organization said.
