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The Polar Bear plunge fundraiser for special olympics at Seaside Heights returns

(Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger)

TGIF! Here are our top 7 picks for fun things to do in New Jersey this weekend. What fun activities would you suggest? Tweet ideas to #njweekend

Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights - New Year's Day isn't the only time people dive into the frosty surf and call themselves polar bears. The Polar Bear Plunge at Seaside, a benefit for Special Olympics New Jersey, will also be to blame for goosebumps and chattering teeth tomorrow at the Seaside Heights boardwalk. Organizers are hoping to surpass the number of "polar bears" — 5,900 — who took the Seaside plunge in 2012. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. and the plunge kicks off at 1 p.m. It costs a minimum of $100 per person to participate; advanced registration is closed. Call (609) 896-8000 or visit njpolarplunge.org. If there's a major snowstorm, the raindate will be March 1; call the contact number for information or visit the website for updates. (Amy Kuperinsky)

Sword Swallowers in Atlantic City - Believe it or not, there is something called World Sword Swallower's Day. And to mark the occasion, Ripley's Believe it Or Not in Atlantic City will host a feat of sword-swallowing. There will be a "Simultaneous Sword Swallow" at various Ripley's Odditoriums around the world tomorrow at 2:22 p.m. The free show will take place in the lobby of Ripley's at 1441 Boardwalk in Atlantic City. Call (609) 347-2001 or visit ripleys.com/atlanticcity. ( Amy Kuperinsky)

Sarah Chang in Morristown - Violinist Sarah Chang, a former child prodigy whose achievements have never stopped, will perform a recital at the Mayo Performing Arts Center tomorrow at 8 p.m. The program includes a "West Side Story" Suite by Bernstein as well as music by Prokofiev, Paganini and Vitali. The venue is located at 100 South St., Morristown. Tickets are $29-$69, call (973) 539-8008 or visit mayoarts.org

Peking Acrobats in Newark - The Peking Acrobats fuse juggling with gymnastics, contortion and cycling in their show, which comes to NJPAC Sunday. Accompanying the acrobats will be live music from JIGU! Thunder Drums of China. 3 p.m. at Prudential Hall, NJPAC, One Center St., Newark. Tickets $32.50 to $66.10; call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com (Amy Kuperinsky)

Chili Cook-Off in Hoboken - Great chili and homebrew, live music, fun time: That's the Hoboken Volunteers Annual Chili Cook-Off & Homebrewing Competition from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the Elks Lodge in Hoboken. Home cooks and brewers will vie for best chili and best homebrew honors, and Gravy Train will perform. The event raises money for this year's charity of choice, the Jubilee Center's Summer Day Camp. Chili judges include Jen Casson, owner of Hoboken Girl, and the Munchmobile driver/reporter. There will also be peoples' choice awards for best beer and chili. Tickets are $40 at the door, which gives you unlimited beer and chili sampling. The Elks Lodge is located at 1005 Washington St., Hoboken. For more information, visit hobokenvolunteers.com. ( Peter Genovese )

New musical in Millburn - "The Other Josh Cohen," a new musical by and starring David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, opens on Sunday at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Currently in previews, the original comedy centers on a single, broke, underemployed guy whose luck seems to change after his apartment is robbed. Currently in previews, the production runs through March 16 at 22 Brookside Dr. Tickets are $27-$98, call (973) 376-4343 or visit papermill.org

Jazz in Union - The Avery Sharpe Jazz Sextet, headed by the acclaimed bassist visits Enlow Hall at Kean University for a program devoted to activist Sojourner Truth titled "Ain't I A Woman." The performance, based on her life and her 1851 speech calling for women's rights, takes place tomorrow night, enlowhall.kean.edu

The 7 best things to do in NJ this weekend 6 Gallery: The 7 best things to do in NJ this weekend

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