Clayton Charity Poker Run 2019
Posted By admin On 07/04/22As far as poker runs go, just when you think it can't get much better than zigzagging through the coral-lined cays of the Florida Keys, or charging past the sun-drenched, copper-colored canyons of Lake Havasu, suddenly a storybook fairytale fun-run beautified by a backdrop of castles and dream-like dwellings complete with drive-up boat garages in Clayton, New York, pops up and a new star on the summer circuit is born -- the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run.
Dazzling the hearts and souls of all, the three-day program sets itself apart with an adrenaline-induced aquatic adventure up the Saint Lawrence River, but even more importantly the high-octane outing stands out thanks to its rallying of support for two regional charities -- the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the River Community Wellness Program for Treatment of Veterans.
The commitment of countless home-town volunteers, the dedicated board of organizers including: Nolan Ferris, Ken and Renee Lalonde, Bobby Cantwell, Alex Buduson and Court Rutherford, and the compassionate deeds and donations from the prosperous patrons and participants, are the reasons that make the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run, the flagship fastboat extravaganza powerboaters muse over the whole year through.
It was a visual feast of fastness on Thursday, July 18th, as one by one the influx of vee-bottoms and tricked-out twin hulls motored past Watertown and up the final stretch on Route 12. For first-time attendees such as I, my initial impression left me feeling as if I was transplanted to the set of a waterfront version of Walnut Grove with Laura 'Half Pint' Ingalls Wilder from the 80s TV series Little House on the Prairie.
The inviting community of Clayton... where it's common practice to leave your vehicle running while you dart into Family Dollar or the local liquor store, welcomed an armada of nearly 117 (at last count) boats and 750-plus poker runners. Residents and registrants alike were also greeted by a vicious heat-wave, and if it had not been for the red and white maple leaf flags reminding me the Canadian border was across the channel, I would have thought I was still at home in Miami.
Human overheating drama aside, everybody's attention shifted to another hot-as-hell matter -- the smokin' caravan of canvases, finally off their trailers and now causing a commotion decorating the quays besides the 1,000 Islands Harbor Hotel. Favorites included the 48' MTI Windship owned by platinum sponsor and poker run devotee, John Woodruff, who made the trip up from Georgia; and returning guest Devin Wozencraft who traversed the United States to skim a few wave tops in his Skater Wozencraft Insurance.
Adrenaline Powerboats splashed its quad Mercury Marine 400R outboard-powered 45-Speede which went on to create such a stir during the nighttime light and sound show, it won the best sound system award. And for anyone who joins me in obsessing over the mere sight of a green machine, I couldn't take my eyes of Scott and Tina Reiter's Outerlimits Tinacious and Mike Facchin's luxury center console Statement It's Not Easy Bein' Green.
Once the boats were all tightly tucked in (and I mean tightly), event festivities commenced as the registration room doors opened at 1:00 p.m. Captains and all cohorts fetched up VIP credentials and this year's batch of 2019 shirts. Everybody standing in line also walked away with a little less memory on their smartphones after downloading the 1,000 Charity Poker Run App, designed by talented techie Ronnie Gordon. The user-friendly App covered all bases with boat tracking, photos, schedules and pop-up notification reminders. My favorite pop-up was the 11:00 p.m. reminder the night before the poker run to go to sleep soon, since the early morning driver's meeting was around the corner.
Moving into Thursday evening, Riverside Drive was transformed into a mini-mecca of marine headliners for the block party. Professional offshore team Fast Boys Racing owned by Pennsylvania resident, Ken Bolinger, also made a special appearance with his lime green #97 Phantom race boat. Passionate about giving back to the involved charities, his team was donating fifty percent of all proceeds from tee-shirt sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
I had the opportunity to speak with Diane Kupperman of the Central New York chapter during the block party and she expressed how grateful the foundation is, 'It's unbelievable the exposure and awareness this event has created across the country. We were thrilled with last year's donations that reached $35,000 since the cost of an average wish is $10,000, and we are happy to be back this year.'
The next morning, scorching Friday temperatures didn't hinder the Make-A-Wish families from heading down to the Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina to get fitted with their life jackets in preparation for the kids day of rides on the speedboats. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children was priceless, and captivates more and more people each year when they learn of this phenomenal happening.
Rochester-resident Doug Sample is one of those individuals, and his real estate enterprise Sample Companies - North America is now in its second year of sponsorship. 'I first heard about the event back in 2017 when my cousin Jeff Morgan helped organize the initial poker run. My family and I felt strongly about the cause especially since 100% of the monies raised are donated back to the charities.'
In addition to the support from regional organizations from the Upstate New York area, high-performance powerboat manufacturer MTI returned with Sales and Marketing Manager Tim Gallagher and his crew on hand. MTI had an immense presence dominating much of the first dock with eye-candy catamarans including the 48-footer Cuz I Can from committee member Ken Lalonde, and a few slips down the one-and-only F440 themed Ferrari MTI.
Mystic Powerboats came on board as a first year sponsor with company owner John Cosker and New Jersey dealer Marine Unlimited's Bernie Neuhaus in attendance. Mercury Racing's Senior Marketing Manager Rick Mackie even escaped his Wisconsin headquarters with son Jordan, and both joined Cosker on the Mystic center console.
PLEASE READ PART TWO OF THE FEATURE FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE SATURDAY MAIN EVENT AND EVENING BANQUET...
- Along with a substantial $35,000 in donations being made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York, the non-profit organization behind the second annual 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run in Clayton, N.Y., also raised another $7,500 for River Hospital and at least an additional $2,500 to surrounding EMS and Fire agencies.
- 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run & Fireworks Inc: (7/20/2019) & Use of Docks: Motion was made by Donna Patchen, seconded by Kenneth Knapp, to accept the 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run Firework’s application and not charge them the $200 fee associated with that permit.
By all accounts, last Saturday’s third annual 1,000 Charity Poker Run in Clayton, N.Y. Experienced an uncommonly miserable mix of heat and humidity. At the first-time lunch stop in Alexandria Bay, the 767 participants from 119 boats went through more than 2,000 bottles of water handed out by members of the local Rotary Club.
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January 18 - 20, 2019
Winter Poker Run
Departure: Thursday Jan 17 at 11 am from Sunny Isles (Sunny Isles Beach)
Destination: Playa Largo Resort / Marriott Autograph Collection
Miami Beach, FL 33154
Florida Powerboat Club
February 21 - 24, 2019
Miami Boat Show Poker Run
Playa Largo Resort & Bakers Cay Resort
Miami, FL
Florida Powerboat Club
March 21 - 24, 2019
9th Annual Tampa Bay Poker Run
Downtown Tampa
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay, Florida
Florida Powerboat Club
April 19 - 21, 2019
Fort Myers Poker Run
Pink Shell Resort & Marina
Fort Myers
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Florida Powerboat Club
April 24 - 28, 2019
Desert Storm Poker Run and Shoot Out
Lake Havasu
London Bridge Resort
Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Storm Poker Runs
May 1 - 4, 2019
Tickfaw 200
Blood River Landing
Lake Pontchartrain
New Orleans, LA
Blood River Landing or Tickfaw 200
May 3 - 5, 2019
2019 NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship 1st Race
18th Annual Thunder on the Neches
Port Neches River
Port Neches City Park
Port Neches, TX
NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship or Port Neches River Fest
May 16 - 18, 2019
19th Annual 'Awakening of the Horses'
Norris Lake
Springs Dock Resort
La Follette ,TN 37766
The Midwest Donzi Club
May 16 - 18, 2019
22nd Annual Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run
Smith Mountain Lake
Hardy, VA
Contact: pokerrun@smlba.com
Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association
May 16 - 18, 2019
2019 Jacksonville River Rally + Poker Run
Metro Park Marina
St Johns River
Jacksonville, FL
2019 Jacksonville River Rally
May 17 - 19, 2019
The Charleston Harbor Poker Run 2019
Rivers Edge Marine
Charleston Harbor
North Charleston, South Carolina 29405
The Charleston Harbor Poker Run 2019
May 26, 2019
Memorial Day Poker run
Tolchester Marina
Chesapeake Bay
Chestertown, MD
Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association or Tolchester Marina
June 7 - 8, 2019
10th Annual Lake Winnebago Four Horsemen Poker Run
Pioneer Marina
Lake Winnebago
Oshkosh , WI
Lake Michigan Four Horsemen Poker Run
June 7 - 8, 2019
Hartwell Lake Poker Run Benefiting Meals on Wheels
Hartwell Lake
Big Water Marina
Anderson, SC
Hartwell Lake Meals on Wheels Benefit Poker Run or Hartwell Lake Poker Run
June 7 - 8, 2019
5th Annual Haulin Azz on the Pamlico Poker Run
Iconic Marine Group
Pamlico River
Lil Washington, NC
Haulin Ass on the Pamlico Poker Run
June 7 - 8, 2019
6th Rooster Tails on Rocky Top
Windriver Marina
Fort Loundon/Tellico Lakes
Lenoir City, TN 37772
Rooster Tails on Rocky Top
June 7 - 11, 2019
Bahamas Poker Run
Departure: Location TBD
Florida Powerboat Club
Clayton Charity Poker Run 2019 Date
June 13 - 16, 2019
Muskegon Powerboat Weekend
Lake Michigan
Muskegon, MI
The Chase Charity Powerboat Event
June 14 - 15, 2019
11th Annual Lake Cumberland Thunder Run
State Dock
Lake Cumberland, KY
Lake Cumberland Thunder Run
June 15, 2019
Annual Runnin with the Dogs River Bay Poker Run
The Dock Bar & Grill
Bayou Bernard
Gulfport, MS 39503
River Bay Poker Run
June 19 - 23, 2019
12th Annual Texas Outlaw Challenge Poker Run
Clear Lake, TX
Texas Outlaw Challenge
June 20 - 23, 2019
2019 Erie Poker Run
Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel
Lake Erie/Presque Isle Bay
55 W Bay RD
Erie, PA 16507
Elite Poker Runs
June 21 - 22, 2019
3rd Annual Kuttawa Cannonball Run
Kuttawa Harbor Marina
Barkley & Kentucky Lake
Kuttawa, KY
2019 Kuttawa Cannonball Run
June 21 - 22, 2019
2019 Children's Chance Lake Murray Poker Run
Rusty Anchor/Catfish Johnny’s
Lake Murray
Lake Murray, SC
Lake Murray Poker Run
June 21 - 23, 2019
Kenner Super Boat Grand Prix
Kenner (New Orleans), LA
Super Boat International
June 22, 2019
International Tug Boat Race @ 1:00 PM
Detroit River below the Ambassador Bridge
Detroit River
Detroit, MI
International Tug Boat Race
June 22, 2019
LEOPA Spring Fun Run
Lake Erie
Detroit Beach Boat Club Monroe, MI
Lake Erie Offshore Performance Association
June 28, 2019
12th Annual Support Our Troops Poker Run
Lake of the Ozarks
Osage Beach MO 65065
Contact: 573-873-2300
Support Our Troops Poker Run
June 28, 2019
Jobbie Nooner 2019
Gull Island Lake St. Clair
St. Clair, MI
JobbieCrew
June 28 - 29, 2019
Alexandria Bay “Hall of Fame” Poker Run
Alexandria Bay, NY
Contact: (905) 844-8218 ext. 252 or coordinator@pokerrunsamerica.com
Poker Runs America
June 28 - 29, 2019
11th Annual Powerboating for a Cure Poker Run
Waterside Marina
Chesapeake Bay
Norfolk, VA 23510
Mid Atlantic Powerboat Association
June 28 - 29, 2019
2019 NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship 2nd Race
Rock the River Toledo
Maumee River
Promenade Park
Toledo, OH
NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship or Rock the River
July 4 - 7, 2019
Madison Regatta
Ohio River
Madison, IN
Madison Regatta or American Boat Racing Association
July 6, 2019
Muskingum Riverfest July 2019
Muskingum Riverway Advocacy Council (MRAC)
Saturday noon - 5:00
Terry's Tavern on the Muskingum River
700 Linden Ave
Zanesville, OH 43701
Contact mracohio@gmail.com
Flier: Muskingum Riverfest July 2019 Flier
July 12 - 13, 2019
15th Annual Boyne Thunder Poker Run
Lake Michigan
Boyne City, MI
Boyne Thunder
July 12 - 14, 2019
2019 NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship 3rd Race
Rockin’ the River
Saginaw River
Wenonah Park
Bay City, MI
NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship or Rockin the River
July 18 - 20, 2019
Kasonno's Flat Bottom Boogie
Club Royal Oak Riverfront RV Resort
Kings River
Kingsburg, CA
Kasonno's Flat Bottom Boogie
July 18 - 20, 2019
11th Annual Pirates of Lanier Charity Poker Run
Lanier Islands Harbor Pavilion
Lake Lanier, GA
Lanier Partners
July 18 - 21, 2019
1000 Islands Charity Poker Run
St Lawrence River in Clayton, NY
1000 Islands Harbor Hotel
Clayton, NY 13624
1000 Islands Charity Poker Run
July 19 - 21, 2019
29th Rochester Offshore Battleship Run
Showboat Motel
Seneca Lake, NY
Himrod, NY
Contact: Jeremystarr2@gmail.com
Rochester Offshore Powerboat Association
July 20, 2019
Ed Walsh Memorial Boaters' Poker Run
Zanesville Yacht Club
Open to Public; Cars and Motorcycles Welcome
Saturday 9:00 - 5:00
3790 N River Rd West
Zanesville, OH 43701
Contact: 740-319-7245 or email information@ZYachtC.com or zyachtc@columbus.rr.com
Flier: Ed Walsh Memorial Boaters' Poker Run Flier
July 26 - 27, 2019
7th Annual Old Hickory Fun Run, Bar Crawl and Raft Up
Anchor High Marina
Old Hickory Lake
Hendersonville, TN
Tennessee Powerboat Club
July 26 - 27, 2019
Presidents Cup Sault Ste. Marie CAN/AM Poker Run
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Contact: (905) 844-8218 ext. 252 or coordinator@pokerrunsamerica.com
Poker Runs America
July 26 - 27, 2019
2nd Annual Sturgeon Bay Fun Run
Centerpointe Marina and Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club
Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay on Lake Michigan
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Offshore Wench's Boating Poker & Fun Runs
August 1 - 4, 2019
Great Lakes Grand Prix
Lake Michigan
Michigan City, IN
Great Lakes Grand Prix
August 2, 2019
LEOPA Thunderfest
Put-in-Bay B-Dock
Lake Erie
Put-in-Bay, OH
Lake Erie Offshore Performance Association
August 2 - 3, 2019
16th Annual Rock the Bay Poker Run
Nauti Goose Saloon
North East, MD 21901
Contact: (905) 844-8218 ext. 252 or coordinator@pokerrunsamerica.com
Poker Runs America
August 2 - 4, 2019 (Canceled)
2019 NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship 4th Race
42nd EQT Three Rivers Regatta
Allegheny River
Point State Park
Pittsburgh, PA
NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship or Three Rivers Regatta
August 3, 2019
34rd Bud Bash
South Shore Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake, Michigan
JobbieCrew
August 3, 2019
Parade of Lights
Markley Marine
Clinton River
Harrison Charter Township, MI 48045
JobbieCrew
August 3, 2019
2019 Lake Cumberland Raft-up
Lake Cumberland
Camp Earl Wallace, KY
2019 Lake Cumberland Raft-up or 2019 Lake Cumberland Raft-up/State Dock Events
August 7 - 10, 2019
27th Annual Emerald Coast Boat Week & Poker Run
Location TBD
Florida Panhandle
Destin, FL
Emerald Coast Foundation
August 8 - 11, 2019
Ray Nuchereno Memorial Poker Run
Templeton Landing Restaurant
Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River
Buffalo, NY
Elite Poker Runs
August 8 - 11, 2019
Skaterfest 2019
Lake St Clair
St Clair Shores, MI 48080
Skaterfest 2019
August 9 - 10, 2019
Big Cat Poker Run
Discovery Bay Yacht Harbor
Discovery Bay, CA 94505
Big Cat Poker Run
August 9 - 10, 2019 (Not Confirmed)
Offshore Wench's 2nd Annual Put In Bay Poker Run
Put In Bay Yacht Club
Put-In-Bay
Put-In-Bay, OH
Offshore Wench's Boating Poker & Fun Runs
August 9 - 10, 2019
5th Annual Carey Downs & Jeremie Floyd Memorial Boat Poker Run
Freddy T's Restaurant
Pickwick Lake
Counce, TN
Pickwick Poker Run
August 9 - 11, 2019
2019 NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship 5th Race
Wake the Lake 3
Champions Park Lake
Clark County Fairgrounds
Springfield, OH
NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship or Wake the Lake 3
August 10, 2019
Muscamoot Bay Raft Off
Muscamoot Bay, Lake St. Clair
St. Clair, MI
JobbieCrew
Clayton Charity Poker Run 2019 Dates
August 10, 2019
Pates Poker Run
Pates Ford Resort & Marina
Center Hill Lake
Smithville, TN 37166
Pates Ford Resort & Marina
August 10 - 11, 2019
RPBA James River Fun Run to Hampton
Richmond, VA
Contact: Barry Adkins 804-512-5195
Contact: James Barton 804-539-3114
email: rpba12@comcast.net
RPBA James River Fun Run to Hampton
August 15 - 19, 2019
Florida Powerboat Club Emerald Coast Poker Run
Location Emerald Grande
Florida Panhandle
Destin, FL
Florida Powerboat Club
August 16 - 17
1000 Islands Poker Run
Kingston, Ont
Contact: (905) 844-8218 ext. 252 or coordinator@pokerrunsamerica.com
Poker Runs America
August 17, 2019>
Annual Buckeye Lake Yacht Club Antique & Classic Boat Regatta
Buckeye Lake
Buckeye Lake, OH
Buckeye Lake Yacht Club
August 24 - 25, 2019
Detroit Hydrofest!
Detroit River
Detroit, MI
American Boat Racing Association
August 24 - 25, 2019
30th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shoot Out
Lake of the Ozarks
Sunrise Beach, MO 65079
Lake of the Ozarks Shoot Out
August 31 - September 1, 2019
2019 NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship 6th Race
Roar of the Rockies RELOADED
Pelican Lakes
Champions Park Lake
Windsor, CO
NKG Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship or Roar of the Rockies RELOADED
September 5 - 7, 2019
Shootout and Poker Run
St Lawrence River
Gananoque, ON
Contact: (905) 844-8218 ext. 252 or coordinator@pokerrunsamerica.com
Poker Runs America
September 6 - 8, 2019
Lake Cumberland Poker Run
State Dock Marina
Lake Cumberland
Jamestown, KY
Contact: (888)782-8336
Lake Cumberland Poker Run or State Dock
September 6 - 7, 2019 (Not Confirmed)
6th Annual Lake Michigan Offshore Wench Fun Run
Reefpoint Marina
Lake Michigan
Racine, WI
Offshore Wench's Boating Poker & Fun Runs
2019 Charity Poker Run Clayton Ny
September 7, 2019
LEOPA 2019 Fall Fun Run
Ford Yacht Club
Grosse Isle, MI
Lake Erie Offshore Performance Association
September 12 - 14, 2019
11th Annual Lake Powell Challenge
Antelope Point Marina
Lake Powell
Page, AZ 86040
Lake Powell Challenge
September 14, 2019>
Jobbie Nooner TWO 2019
Gull Island Lake St. Clair
St. Clair, MI
JobbieCrew
September 21, 2019
Patriot Poker Run
Lake Pontchartrain
New Orleans, LA
Contact: Craig at craig@gcoffshore.com
Gulf Coast Offshore
September 14, 2019 (Not Confirmed)
Pontoon & Deck Boat 2019 Poker Run
Captain Ron's Lakefront Bar & Grill at the 34 1/2 mile marker
Lake of the Ozarks
Sunrise Beach, MO
Pontoon & Deck Boat
September 27 - 29, 2019
Super Boat International 11th Annual Clearwater Super Boat National Championship
Clearwater, FL
Super Boat International
September 27 - 29, 2019
Fall Bimini Blast
Fort Lauderdale to Resorts World Bimini Hilton
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida Powerboat Club
October 5, 2019 (Not Confirmed)
Caesar Creek Shoot Out
Caesar Creek State Park
Caesar Creek, OH
More Info
October 12 - 13, 2019
Monster Storm Poker Run
Lake Havasu
Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Storm Poker Runs
October 11 - 13, 2019
Florida Keys Fall Run
Locations TBD
FL
Florida Powerboat Club
November 3 - 10, 2019
Race World Offshore Key West Championships
Key West, FL
Race World Offshore
November 7 - 12, 2019
27th Annual Key West Offshore Poker Run
Miami to Key West
Miami - Key West, FL
Florida Powerboat Club
December 14, 2019
2019 Lake Lanier Annual Parade of Boats
Sunset Cove
Lake Lanier, GA
Lanier Partners
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