WASHINGTON, June 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

SATURDAY, JUNE 23: POLAR BEAR SWIM

Profile America — Saturday, June 23rd.  With summer here, it's hard to think of a polar bear swim — one of those outings where slightly crazy people, usually wearing strange costumes, plunge into chilly waters in the middle of the winter.  But today in Nome, Alaska, where it will be daylight pretty much all around the clock, the 37th annual Polar Bear Swim will be held.  Dozens of swimmers will jump into the frigid Bering Sea — if the ice has broken up enough to allow the event to proceed.  Down in the lower 48, swimmers of all ages are enjoying warmer waters across the nation — from lakes, rivers, and oceans to swimming pools.  Swimming is one of our favorite recreational activities — with more than 50 million people taking the plunge at least six times a year.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 326
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1249

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau