Cancelled in 2020, the Boyne Thunder Poker Run is slated to return July 9-11 to pristine Boyne City in Northern Michigan. Earlier this week, the organizers—led by new Boyne Thunder event coordinator Ingrid Day—of the 18th annual event opened sponsor registration. So far, 20 sponsors have stepped up to back the three-day happening, which supports several local charities, to the tune of $71,500.

With sponsor registration open and solid so far and participant sign-ups opening March 1, the 2021 Boyne Thunder Poker Run is on track for success. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

Day said she expects 40 to 45 sponsors to come on board before sponsor registration closes on February 19. Participant registration opens March 1. As in years past, the event will be limited to 120 boats.

“Our current sponsor registrations are on par with what they’ve been in previous years and we have several sponsorship levels available,” said Day, who previously worked with the Main Street organization that collaborates with the event organizers each year. ”When we open registration for participants, we see boat owners step up for sponsorship levels that include dockage,”

A Boyne City resident and former education administrator who took over for outgoing Boyne Thunder organizing committee chairman Bob Alger, Day said the transition in leadership has progressed solidly and for the most part smoothly. Among her goals for the event in 2021 and beyond is to keeping evolving the event as its demographics shift.

“One of the things our committee is looking at is how composition of attendees has changed over time,” said Day. “More and more, we are seeing participants bring their entire families to Boyne Thunder for the week and we want to continually adjust for that. Our Friday party, for example, has been a family-friendly event geared toward the community.”

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