Poker run to support children’s camp

By Jamie Rogers
Morning News Reporter
Published: September 24, 2008

Hundreds of bikers are expected to take to the streets Saturday for an annual poker run in support of a worthy cause.

The Florence County Sheriff’s Office will have its eighth annual Bikes and Badges Poker Run on that day to benefit its Camp Pee Dee Pride, a free camp designed to educate children between the ages of 9 and 13 about law enforcement, science and other areas.

Participants can register from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Darlington County Raceway Museum, Florence County Sheriff’s Lt. Wayne Howard said.

Those who register can tour the raceway museum for free.

Registration for the poker run is $25 for each poker hand, and there isn’t any limit to the number of hands a person can play, Howard said.

“The event is not just for motorcycles,” he said. “Bikes, cars, trucks, vans — they all can come out.”

Vehicles can depart from the raceway between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to begin the trek to Marshall’s Marine in Lake City.

Everyone should arrive at Marshall’s by 5 p.m., where there will be free food, drinks and live entertainment for all who registered for the poker run, Howard said.

Prizes and cash will be awarded for the first, second and third best hands. An award also will be given for the worst hand.

Stops in between the beginning and final locations include Fatz Café and Doug’s Harley Davidson in Florence and Shady Rest Restaurant in Johnsonville.

Those interested can pre-register for the event until Friday at Fatz Café and Doug’s Harley-Davidson in Florence or Marshall’s in Lake City, Howard said.

Deputies are hoping for a bigger turnout than last year when the poker run was held in Horry County during the fall bike rallies, he said.

The rallies attracted a lot of participants in the event, Howard said. But he said deputies are sure just as many, if not more, will come out Saturday in support of the event and Camp Pee Dee Pride, which has a helped more than 3,000 children in its 13-year existence.

If You’re Going

What: Florence County Sheriff’s Office’s eighth annual Bikes and Badges Poker Run to benefit Camp Pee Dee Pride

When and Where: Begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Darlington Raceway Museum; ends at 5 p.m. Saturday at Marshall’s Marine in Lake City. Registration is from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum.

Cost: $25 per poker hand

Info: Call Florence County Sheriff’s Lt. Wayne Howard at (843) 665-2121 ext. 339