Registration Open For Support Our Troops And BFD Fun Run

The premiere events produced each year by Big Thunder Marine at the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri, the Support Our Troops Poker Run and the Baja, Fountain and Donzi Fun Run serve different purposes. Though both deliver great experiences for everyone involved, Support Our Troops raises money for the nonprofit H.E.R.O.E.S Care veterans services organization and BFD is a celebration of three significant brands and their loyal fans.

Not brand-specific, the Support Our Troops Poker Run is among the most popular homegrown boating events at the Lake of the Ozarks. Photos by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

Both have now opened registration. Support Our Troops is set for Friday, June 21, and participants can click here to register. The BFD Fun Run is set for Thursday and Friday, July 18-19 and participants can click here to register.

As previously reported, Support Our Troops involves much of the Lake of the Ozarks. community. In 2023, the 16th annual event raised $23,000 for the nonprofit organization The 75-boat fleet, which visited several venues around the lake, hosted 40 veterans for the day on the water.

The BFD Fun Run has been a hit with brand loyalists since Big Thunder Marine launched it five years ago.

In 2023, the BFD happening attracted an event-record-setting 100 registered boats and also stopped at multiples venues. It was the fifth annual Big Thunder-hosted, three-brand celebration at the lake, and the event has grown steadily since its inception.

Contributing speedonthewater.com photographer Jeff Helmkamp captured all the action from both 2023 events and will return this year.