Poker Run to benefit Special Olympics

Arkansas -- Officials with Special Olympics Arkansas Area 8, which covers Eastern Arkansas, are gearing up for their second major fundraiser of the year, the annual Ride the Ridge Poker Run.

According to Joey Astin with Special Olympics, the sixth installment of the Poker Run will be held Saturday, April 19, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m., at Wynne High School. Astin said the first bike will leave at 10 a.m., and the last bike will leave the high school at noon. Motorcyclists will travel 100 miles through the Crowley’s Ridge Parkway before ending at the Central Arkansas Turbine hangar at the Forrest City Municipal Airport.


Pre-registration for the event is $25 and includes participation in the poker run, a T-shirt, a pin, a coozie and a ticket for the many door prizes available on the day of the event. Those who register on the day of the event will also pay a $25 entry fee, which includes a T-shirt on a first come, first served basis, a pin and a door prize ticket. All participants with a paid entry fee will also receive a free crawfish and barbecue dinner following the poker run. The meal will be served at Central Arkansas Turbine.


One change for this year’s event will be for those who attend the fundraiser in four-wheeled vehicles, according to Astin.


“The one thing that we’re going to do a little differently than we’ve done in the past is allow people who want to come out and enjoy themselves but don’t ride motorcycles to come out and pay a $5 per person fee. They will be able to participate in the silent auction and enjoy some crawfish and barbecue as well,” said Astin.


Astin also said that organizers are hoping that the event will last all day Saturday and into Saturday night.


“We’ll have all of the events during the day Saturday, and we’ll also have a D.J. Then, on Saturday night, at about 6:30, we’re going to have bands start playing, and we hope people will stay around and enjoy themselves and have some good food and enjoy some good music,” said Astin.


Astin also said that the members of the Forrest City Junior Auxiliary will assist with Saturday’s event. Area 8 includes St. Francis, Cross, Monroe and Phillips counties, and the funds raised from the Poker Run will benefit athletes in these counties.

News Added: 17 April, 2008

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