A pair of signature go-fast boating events on back-to-back weekends, Northern Michigan’s 19th annual Boyne Thunder Poker Run, July 8-9, and the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run, July 14-16, in Upstate New York, are opening general registration today.Both are capped at 120 boats and—if history is a guide—will fill quickly.

Registration for the Boyne Thunder event is open now. Registration for the 1,000 Islands run begins at noon (EST).

Two of summer’s most scenic go-fast boating events opened registration today. Photo from the 2021 Boyne Thunder Poker Run by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

In advance of today’s general registration opening, Boyne Thunder organizers sold 56 sponsor slots. Those sales translated to almost $200,000 in backing for the local charity-based happening in Boyne City.

“I can’t believe it is time for general registration for Boyne Thunder 2022,” said Ingrid Day, Boyne Thunder’s events coordinator. “We have 64 spots available and think they will go pretty fast. We’re looking forward to hosting 120 awesome crews in early July and already putting in our order for beautiful skies and calm water.”

The setting for the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run is breathtaking. Photo by Tim Sharkey copyright Sharkey Images.

Headquartered in Clayton, a charming gateway community to the 1,000 Islands area and the St. Lawrence River between the United States and Canada, the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run is coming back from a pandemic-forced two-year break. The event saw healthy growth in its first three years before the hiatus, and the organizers are expecting a strong comeback this year.

The 1,000 Islands event benefits Make-A-Wish of Central New York as well as several local charities, opens at noon. Said organizing committee member Ken Lalonde, “One wish at a time, we’re changing lives.”

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