Buffalo Poker Run Bolstered by Out-Of-State Entries
A classic Chris Cat takes flight at the 20th Annual Buffalo Poker Run. All photos courtesy/copyright Tim Sharkey/Sharkey Images.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, last weekend’s Buffalo (N.Y.) Poker Run attracted 61 boats and approximately 177 participants, according to Anthony Scioli, one of the organizers for the annual run. The event, which used portions of the Niagara River, the Erie Canal and Lake Erie for its course, raised $3,000 for Buffalo-based Excalibur Leisure Skills, which according to its website provides “cost-free boating and fishing opportunities for the disabled and disadvantaged.”
The run is hosted and organized by the Buffalo-based Western New York Offshore Powerboat Association. Title sponsors this year were J-R Marine and Anchor Marine.
“This was a very big year for us in attracting boats from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Florida,” said Scioli.
“We had the largest number of out-of-state boats in club history.”
The event appeals to full-size offshore boats, such as this Apache, as well as smaller boats.
Scioli said that because run includes an alternate course if conditions get too rough on Lake Erie, the event appeals to owners of small boats, as well as owners of larger boats in search of calm waters.
“We had 22-foot boats running alongside 42-foot boats,” he said. “That’s part of what makes this run such a great draw, especially for those who traveled long distances to attend.”
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