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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2005
Georgian Bay Tourism Supports 2005 Georgian Bay Poker
Run
Honey Harbour Resort to host annual 17th annual event
Honey Harbour, Ontario May 19, 2005….. Southern
Georgian Bay is waiting with anticipation for the sound of "start
your engines as the 17th annual Georgian Bay Poker Run comes to life.
A week long event of summer fun and activity from Penetanguishene to Honey
Harbour and all of the towns in between.
Thanks to the Delawana Inn Resort in Honey Harbour, the Power Boating
Canada Magazine GEORGIAN BAY POKER RUN has a new home.
This summer's event will be held on Saturday, July 23 and will include
a number of festivals and special events in Card Stop communities around
southern Georgian Bay.
“We are honoured to have the ability to host this major tourism
event,” announced Lisa Lauder, Sales and Marketing Manager at the
Delawana Inn. “The Georgian Bay Poker Run is synonymous with summer
fun, and we couldn’t let the event die.”
The granddaddy of all Poker Runs seemed ready to fade into memory, until
local organizer David Gravelle was contacted by officials of the Delawana
Inn Resort.
“The Georgian Bay Poker Run started 17 years ago, and I’ve
been involved for the past ten years,” explained Gravelle, President
of WOW! Special Event Management Inc. “When the Delawana Inn called
and said they would be a willing partner, I was re-energized to continue
my involvement, without the possibility of conflicting with the municipal
act.”
The Delawana Inn is a 25-acre full service facility complete with a Health
Spa, Sports Facilities, Golf, Children's Program, Restaurants and much
more. The family resort has been the lunch stop for the past two Georgian
Bay Poker Runs and is very familiar with the awe and excitement an event
like the Poker Run can create.
“The Poker Run has grown from ten events to over a hundred throughout
North America,” explained Bill Taylor, Publisher of Power Boating
Canada Magazine, and its sister publication in the US, Poker Runs America
Magazine. “It all started here in Georgian Bay, and I’m so
pleased that the Delawana Inn Resort has decided to partner with us. I
know our participants will enjoy the Delawana Inn and all of its amenities.
As well, having David Gravelle and his team involved once again will ensure
the event runs flawlessly.”
The 2005 edition of the Georgian Bay Poker Run will begin with the annual
KICX-FM Parade of Power on Friday, July 22. Poker Run boats will leave
the Delawana Inn at 7:30pm and make their way to the village of Port McNicoll
in Tay Township to pick up local physically and mentally challenge youth
and contest winners for this annual Thrill Ride.
On Saturday, July 23 the Poker Runners will meet in the Mackinaw Restaurant
at the Delawana Inn for the mandatory Driver's Meeting and receive CARD
#1. Following the meeting, the boats will fire up at 9:30 and conduct
a slow parade through the narrow channel until the green flag drops at
the southern tip of Beausoleil Island.
From there, the open water beckons, as the fleet goes westward towards
Christian Island and the Beausoleil First Nation for Card#2. Chief Valerie
Monague, and the entire band, as well as the hundreds of tourists and
cottagers who make this beautiful island their summer home, will be at
the docks awaiting the arrival of the big boats and their crews.
From Christian Island, the usually tepid but sometimes treacherous waters
of Georgian Bay will be challenged by both V-Hull and Cat - en route to
the birthplace of Poker Runs - Meaford, Ontario. Lunch will be served
courtesy of the Meaford and District
Chamber of Commerce and their community sponsors - Chapman's Ice Cream,
Bank of Nova Scotia, Muxlow's Pharmacy, Meaford Foodland, Richardson Boats,
Wasaga Marine, and Grandma Lambe's.
Following a hearty lunch, a top-up of fuel, and some time milling the
docks at the in-water boat show sponsored by Larson dealer - Wasaga Marine
- the poker runners will make their second crossing of Georgian Bay en
route to the Port of Historic
Penetanguishene, where thousands are expected to line the docks (which
have seen a $400,000 facelift) as Mayor Anita Dubeau hands out the fourth
card of the day. Penetanguishene has been the host to the Poker Run for
the past nine years, and was
saddened to see it move. However, the community can be very proud of the
warmth and hospitality it has provided to the poker run participants,
families, officials, and sponsors over the years.
Next stop is the Village of Port McNicoll, in the Township of Tay, where
the lake freighters used to stop to unload grain from the Lakehead destined
for cities to the south. Long has the shipping industry vanished, but
the community is experiencing a resurgence with an expanded program of
activities around the Poker Run weekend including live entertainment,
a personal watercraft stunt show, vendors, food, and much more.
The final stop will be back at the historic Delawana Inn. The small channel
in front of the Delawana Inn is a major thoroughfare on a busy summer
weekend. Once docked, the Poker Runners will gather on the marine deck
overlooking the channel for a cocktail reception followed by dinner and
the unveiling of the poker hands in the dining room.
Who will lady luck treat best this year in this on-water high stakes
game of Poker!
Be part of the Georgian Bay Poker Run to try your hand!
- 30 -
Media Contact:
David Gravelle
WOW! Special Event Management Inc.
P. 705.549-8975
F. 705.549.4429
E. wow@csolve.net
W. www.georgianbaypokerrun.com
Click here for the Georgian
Bay Tourism Attraction and Accommodation Partners’ web site
or click on the individual contact information below:
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