Boyne Thunder Poker Run Opens Registration

Participant sign-ups for the annual Boyne Thunder Poker Run in Northern Michigan opened this morning. The event, which can handle 120 boats, will fill quickly thanks to pent-up demand—like most large-group happenings Boyne Thunder was cancelled last year—as well as its longstanding popularity with performance-boat enthusiasts around the country.

Capped at 120 boats, the Boyne Thunder Poker Run opened registration this morning. Photo from Boyne Rumble 2020 by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“Without the event happening last year, Boyne City and all the participants are ready to have a great event,” said Mike Knoblock, the owner of American Custom Marine in Kimball, Mich., and a longtime Boyne Thunder backer.

Sponsor registration closed a little more than a week ago. According to Boyne Thunder event coordination Ingrid Day, those sponsorship commitments brought in $180,000 for the event, which serves multiple local charities. Day said she and her follow organizers are planning for whatever COVID-19 contingencies arise.

“We are still planning to hold a regular event, but at the same time we’re considering how to hold the event with some restrictions,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to having all the boats in the water this year and water levels are down some, which means we may even get that parade lap in—on plane.”

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