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The Citizen-Journal



Sports

PUBLISHED: Wednesday, July 25, 2007
BoyneThunder drew large crowds



BOYNE CITY - BoyneThunder Poker Run drew crowds Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21 to the city marina and Veterans Park. Sunshine sparkled on the colorful highperformance boats in the annual event.

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This year 37 boats participated. Boaters traveled from Boyne City to Beaver Island, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Bay Harbor, Horton Bay and back to Boyne City.

A poker run is an adventure trip where each participant collects one randomly selected playing card at each of the locations. Upon return to the starting point, each participant plays their hand. The best poker hands win first, second and third prizes.

The Thunder Boats are a unique class of watercraft captained by a range of people from the enthusiast to the professional.

The boats have a value from $100,000 to several million dollars. The fastest boat has 3,000 horsepower and reaches a speed of up to 165 mph.

The boats come from throughout the Great Lakes region and as far away as Florida. Proceeds from the various events are donated to Camp Quality, an organization that helps kids with cancer.

Programs create stressfree environments that offer activities, foster new friendships and give children courage, motivation and emotional strength.

Other BoyneThunder events included "Bash by the Bay," dining catered by the prizewinning chefs of Boyne USA Resorts, an auction, a classic boat show and aerial water ski shows.

Boyne City Police Chief Randy Howard said there were no incidents despite the number of people.

"There were a lot of people in town," Howard said. "It went real smooth and things were pretty quiet."





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