Registration open for 20th annual Bayside Poker Run

The 20th annual Bayside Poker Run boating event will be held on Saturday July 25. This annual event is a fun day on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay sponsored by the Onancock Rotary and the Pungoteague Ruritan Clubs.

Boats of any size may participate in the event which is an opportunity to explore the Bay from Onancock Creek to Occohannock Creek in an exciting yet leisurely fashion. It is not a race, but simply boaters choosing their own course and own pace to locate and visit checkpoints announced on event day.

Competition in the event will be in two parts. The “navigational skill” part will be for boaters to plot a course which will enable them to “log in” at specific locations within designated time allowances. These locations will be spread among Onancock, Pungoteague, Nandua, and Occohannock Creeks and will be disclosed to all captains simultaneously at a captains meeting on the morning of the event. Once again this year captains can choose either Occohannock or Onancock Creeks by declaring either ‘south’ or ‘north’ as their designated route. Points in this competition will also be earned in ‘Survivor-type’ challenges in various activities.

The “luck” part of the event will involve boaters picking up a playing card at each of the locations and bringing a poker hand to a final destination at 5 p.m. At this location all boats meet to disclose their hands and have navigation points posted.

The navigation prize will be $500 and the poker prize will be a Fall Vacation Getaway package of equal value for a grand prize total value of $1000. Additional ‘dock prize’ drawings will be held for fishing gear, boating accessories, and other fun items.

Complimentary picnic styled box dinners will be enjoyed during the awards ceremony on the beautiful creekside lawn of the Eastern Shore Yacht & Country Club on Taylor Creek.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Rotary and Ruritan scholarship programs and other community service activities, so come enjoy the Bay and help our own Eastern Shore community at the same time.

Registration for the event is $150 and forms must be received in advance. Registration forms are available at Keith Lilliston State Farm Insurance at 25020 Shore Parkway, Suite 1E, in Onley or by calling 757-710-5739. Registration forms are also available at Sandpiper Marine, Exmore Western Auto, East Coast Fiberglass, Davis Wharf Marine, Anchors Down, Seaworthy Marine, HW Drummond, Mallard’s at the Wharf, Eastern Shore Outfitters and from any Rotary or Ruritan Club members.