The 26th Annual Key West Poker Run
During the weekend of September 18-20, 1998, is now considered one of the
best runs yet! What everyone thought was going to be a nasty weekend of
thunderstorms and heavy rain, turned into one of the best of Mother Natures
creations. Not a drop of rain for those who rode down on Friday and just a
small shower for a few riders on Saturday.
16,000 bikers went on the run, with 3800 riders playing poker hands. $70,000
was raised for the Diabetes Research Institute and the Florida Keys Rotary
clubs, but that amount could have been 3 or 4 times as much if everyone played
a hand. With the average person dropping between $300 - $700 during this
weekend, would it kill them to spend a measly $10 bucks on a poker hand?
In downtown Key West, bikers enjoyed the action at places like Ricks, Sloppy
Joes, Hogs Breath and Captain Tony's. Just about every street in Key West has
some place to grab a cool beer. If you didn't have a hangover in the morning it
was your own fault.
On Saturday, Sloppy Joes hosted a bike show, and there were lots of great
looking bikes surrounding the bar. The Econolodge was the place to relax at
their Tiki-hut bar and for those who like to ride a little further, there is
the terrific little oceanside bar at the Geiger Key Marina, only 11 quick miles
up the road. Jessee the Human Bomb tried to kill himself on Saturday night.
(He's still with us) After scraping Jessee off the stage, Phil Peterson and
Mike Horne took over and gave out the cash and trophies to the poker hand
winners.
The winners, their hands and cash they went home with were:
$1000 Richard Swenson, Brandonton, Fl (5-8's)
$500 Peter Matt, Miami (5-4's)
$250 Rudy Lazano, Clarkston, MI (4-A's & K)
$150 Richard Wassall, Miami (4-A's & 7)
$100 Steve Weinberg, Pembroke Pines (4-K's & J)
Following the award presentations, representatives from the Diabetes Research
Institute, presented plaques to Phil and Mike for all they've done. The crowd
gave them a big round of applause. The Rotary Club raffled off a new Sporty
that was won by Terry Garcia. After the presentations were finished, the party
was back in full swing.
Just down the street, in back of Rum Runners, the "Jello/Whipped Cream
Wrestling Contest" was being held. WAIL-99.5 D.J., Bill Hoebee, had the
sticky task of being the master of ceremonies. His job was to judge the gals
while dodging jello & whipped cream. The small courtyard, meant to hold
about 100 people, was overflowing with 200 or more. After it was all said and
done, Ruth, from Orlando, handily beat out the other competetors to take the
$100 cash prize.
So give a big hand to Mr P & Mike Horne for another terrific event. It
takes them months of kissing political butt just so we can enjoy one of the
best motorcycle events in the country! And what about those who stayed home
because they thought it was going to be a rainy run... it poured in Miami and
Ft Lauderdale all weekend!
(Miami Mike)
