Pine Island Moose Bicycle Poker Run is about to take place on Saturday. The first three winners will be rewarded with money prizes, while the rest of the incomes from the poker run will be donated to the Pine Island Moose Scholarship fund for island students. The prizes and the donations value depends on the number of participants in the poker run. Last year, between 600 and 800 people participated in the event and five scholarships worth of 1,000 dollars each were donated.
The poker run concept is simple. Tickets to the event cost 5 dollars each. The poker run starts at the Pine Island Moose Lodge, the participants cycle between five different locations. There is a poker dealer at every location, and the participants can receive one card for each ticket they bought. The last stop is located at the Double Nichol Pub, where the riders expose their poker hands. The three participants with the best hands will win money prizes.
The poker run tradition was developed by the Moose organization, which set itself a goal to improve the lives of underprivileged children and elderly. They also develop programs that include family activities, community service projects and member sports programs. There is usually a party at the Moose Lodge in the end of the poker run. This year, due to rebuilding of the lodge, which was destroyed by Hurricane Charley in 2004, the order of the events was changed.
