13th Annual Poker Run this Weekend

Boating enthusiasts will celebrate Halloween in July

by Dennis Rahm

After a one year COVID related cancellation, the Lake Chelan Boating Club is excited to resume their annual Poker Run with 50 to 60 boaters expected to participate. The annual event is the club’s single largest fund raising activity with proceeds helping to support a number of organizations and events throughout the Lake Chelan Valley.

The Poker Run is designed to be a fun event and not a race. Participants will attempt to collect the best poker hand possible as they make five separate stops at locations along the lake to pick up their cards in sealed packets.

While all styles of boats participate in the event, it’s the impressive and powerful off-shore style that draw the most attention. If you’re a fan of boats and would like to see them up close, the best opportunity will be during the Friday night boat show and registration in downtown Manson starting at 6 pm that will feature a free photo booth and raffle for a large sized towable.

Poker Run sponsorship coordinator Bill Jarr says the biggest benefit of the annual event is that at least a third of the proceeds are used to support programs and organizations in the valley such as scholarship funds, the Chelan and Manson fireworks shows, swim lessons, water safety classes and much more. Jarr says the event wouldn’t be a success without the outstanding support of the local business community in the form of sponsorships and donations.