Boyne Thunder Poker Run Sold Out

Earlier this week, the 16th annual Boyne Thunder Poker Run set for July 12-13 sold out its final spot. The organizers capped registration this year at 120 boats.

Though it didn’t sell out as quickly as it has during the past several years, next month’s Boyne Thunder Poker Run in Michigan is at capacity. Photo by Jason Johnson

“Registration opened Monday at 9 a.m. and it was full by yesterday afternoon,” Oppermann said. “I don’t think anybody expected it to sell out that quickly. You had to have a passcode to register, and only past participants get the code in the first two weeks.

“It’s good and it’s bad,” he continued. “We want new blood in our event—new blood is really important. But we’d hate to have the guy who has supported us for all 11 runs get excluded because he is a ‘day late.’ ”

Past participants can sign up for the event’s waiting on list on the Boyne Thunder Poker Run website. Though the waiting list won’t open for the general public until March 16, Oppermann encourages those who haven’t participated before to sign up when it does.

“We already have names on the waiting list, but things happen,” he said. “Boats break down, plans change. We’re encouraging everyone who’s interested to get on the list.”

Official check in for the Boyne Thunder Poker Run opens on Friday morning, July 10, and the poker run starts on Lake Charlevoix and moves to Lake Michigan on Saturday. Friday’s informal lunch run to Bay Harbor is followed by a street fair/party that includes powerboat and hot rod/exotic car exhibits in Boyne City. Participants who arrive Thursday are welcome to attend a casual, no-host cocktail party on Boyne Mountain, the ski hill behind Boyne City, that evening.

As they did last year, Boyne Thunder’s organizers have contracted with Pete Boden of Shoot 2 Thrill Pix to photograph the event. Proceeds of the event will benefit the non-profit Camp Quality Michigan and Challenge Mountain programs.

Editors note: Speedonthewater.com will provide real-time coverage of the 2015 Boyne Thunder Poker Run both on the website and in its bi-monthly digital magazine.

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