1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run Taking ‘Picturesque’ Center Stage

Though the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run festivities don’t officially begin until tomorrow evening with a sponsor cruise on the St. Lawrence River between the United States and Canada, out-of-town participants have already begun arriving for the Upstate New York event. Some visitors will strike out on their own today, but whether they launch their boats and explore the pristine waterway or just hang out in Clayton, the event’s soul-soothing host city, their precious free time will be well-spent.

The St. Lawrence River scenery is just one of the 1,000 Island Charity Poker Run’s many strong attractions. Photos by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos

Because as returning participants know and newcomers will learn, just being there is a joyful experience.

“The boating area and the town of Clayton are beautiful, said Peter Roberts, the co-owner of returning 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run sponsor Double R Performance, a full-service Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats dealer in the Toronto, Canada, area. “And I really like that everything is in the same place—the hotel, the harbor and so on. That’s the best way to have a poker run. It’s easy and everyone tends to stay together.”

WATCH THE SPEED ON THE WATER/SCRAPYARD MEDIA 1,000 ISLANDS CHARITY POKER RUN DOCUMENTARY

Work obligations will keep Roberts from arriving in time for tomorrow night’s sponsor cruise. But fellow returning event-backer Devin Wozencraft of Wozencraft Insurance Agency is planning to be among the 110 guests on board the vintage paddle-wheeler.

“I wouldn’t miss this event,” Wozencraft said. “It is absolutely my favorite. It has the most picturesque environment of any poker run in the world.

“Having everybody staying at a first-class hotel on the shores of the St. Lawrence River—with a great view from every room—alongside the host marina creates an unmatched, community vibe. Everybody is together and you get to know people better than you do when you’re all spread out, as you are at many poker runs.”

Wozencraft will run his 34-foot Victory catamaran in the event, which has 105 boats registered.

With the host hotel next door to the host marina, the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run setup couldn’t be more convenient.

The fun for general participants start Thursday night with a street display and celebration in downtown Clayton. So popular are Friday’s owner-provided boat rides for Make-A-Wish of Central New York children and their families that boat supply tends to outstrip rider demand.

Said Roberts, “I love everything about this event. But for me, the highlight is the Saturday night auction. It’s amazing.”