Registration for two of the nation’s most popular summer go-fast boating events—the Boyne Thunder Poker Run, July 10-11, in Boyne City, Mich., and the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run, July 16-18, in Clayton, N.Y., opens today. The Boyne Thunder event will be accepting entries at 9 a.m., while the Thousand Islands happening will kick off registration at noon. Both events are limited to approximately 120 boats.

Celebrating its 17th anniversary, the Boyne Thunder Poker Run tackles sections of Lake Charlevoix Round Lake and Lake Michigan. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

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Entering its 17th year of taking over the small waterfront town of Boyne City for the better part of a week, the Boyne Thunder Poker Run includes a Thursday night welcome party sponsored by American Custom Marine at the Boyne Thunder Resort host venue, a Thursday lunch, a Friday night street celebration and exhibit and Saturday’s poker run and banquet. The event raises money for local charities, most notably Camp Quality and Challenge Mountain. 

Since the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run started, its primary charities have been Make-A-Wish of Central New York and the River Community Wellness Program at River Hospital, and that will continue this year. In 2019, the third-annual event granted wishes for two seriously ill children and raised $20,000 the Noah’s Care Bags project started Make-A-Wish beneficiary Noah Saterlee.

Multi-level event sponsorship opportunities are still available for both runs. Speedonthewater.com chief photographer Pete Boden is shooting the Boyne Thunder event. Photographer Tim Sharkey of Sharkey Images is capturing the 1,000 Islands Charity happening.

Granting wishes is what the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run is all about. Photo courtesy/copyright Tim Sharkey/Sharkey Images.

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