OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Special Olympics Maine will benefit from the 19th annual Lobster Dip in the ocean at noon New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1.

Dippers are asked to raise a minimum of $100 to take part in the icy event in front of the Brunswick Hotel at Old Orchard Beach.

Dippers will have a complimentary pre-dip pancake breakfast put on by the American Legion Post 57 and a post-dip New Year’s Day bash at the Brunswick. The event will include food and lobster stew, live bands, television sets to watch the big game and hot showers.

In 2006, there were more than 400 dippers, and organizations hope to break that record in 2007. All proceeds go directly to Special Olympics Maine. Costumes are welcomed and encouraged.

There is also a chicken lobster dip. Participants must still raise at least $100 but instead of plunging in to the Atlantic, they can sit in the chicken coop by a warm fire and dip in to warm buckets of water.

Teams are encouraged to enter. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Brunswick. Call Special Olympics Maine for a registration packet at 879-0489.

Special Olympics Maine is a year-round athletic training and competition program for persons with intellectual disabilities of all ages. In Maine there are nearly 3,000 athletes who participate.