Poker Run on the First Coast

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A sea of boats will be docked at the Jacksonville Landing this weekend. Boaters are taking part in the 7th Annual Jacksonville Police and Fire River Rally Poker Run.

It's not a race. According to Clay Ratcliffe, who is part of the committee putting it on, "This is for fun." It will be fun that centers on the boats and a deck of cards.

More than 100 boats and over 200,000 horse power will be at the Landing. Boaters will make 5 stops on the St. Johns River between Jacksonville and Palatka Saturday. At each stop, boaters will pick up a card. At the end of the run, the person with the best five cards wins money and prizes.

The boats have to be a minimum of 26 feet long and have to go at least 65 miles per hour. The cost for the Poker Run is $450 for the captain and first mate. It's $75 for an extra person.

All the money goes to charity. It will benefit the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund which helps children with leukemia and other cancers. You can go for a run on the water and help a good cause.

Things get started Thursday. The Landing will be the hub of all the activity. You can see million dollar boats on display. There will be a dinner cruise.

Then, the fun continues on Friday with a fun run on the ocean to Fernandina Beach. It starts at the Landing at 10 a.m. Later that night at 11, there will be a Venus Swim Wear Fashion Show in the Courtyard at the Landing.

Ratcliffe says Saturday is the day to be Downtown. You will be able to see all the boats docked. "You'll see all the colors. It's the biggest assemblage of boats on the East Coast."

He suggests getting to the Landing about 9:30 a.m. Shortly after that, the boaters will launch and take off on the run. You still have time to sign up. You can register for the River Rally Poker Run until 9:30 Saturday morning.

First Coast News

News Added: 05 June, 2008

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