On The Treasure Coast, FL (April 25, 2007) — Check your compass and set your course for Stuart in June. It’s time for the Stuart Family Fun Boat Poker Run, produced by the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. This event will benefit the Martin County Artificial Reef program and the Stuart Sea Scouts. Get on board now to be part of this fun-filled event.

This “Land or Sea” event takes place on Saturday, June 9. There are five stops – each one accessible by boat, car or motorcycle. This is not a race, but a chance to visit some great places in beautiful Martin County. Stops include AA Marina; the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House; Pirates Cove Resort and Marina; the Fish House Art Gallery where you can spend time visiting local artists, in addition to Finz Waterfront Grille and Bare Bones Grill & Brewery; and Wahoo’s on the Waterfront. The event begins at 11:00 am and all poker hands must be completed by 5:00 pm. An island style marina party will follow at Wahoo’s on the Waterfront, beginning at 5:30 pm, where the winning hands will be announced. There will be plenty of food and live entertainment.

“We are planning a full day of family fun”, says Vera Locke, Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. “We want to give people a good reason to get out on the water and have fun. If you don’t have a boat you can still participate by car or motorcycle and support two great causes”, says Locke.

In addition to going from stop to stop in an attempt to get the best poker hand, kids fourteen and under have an opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt along the way. Some great prizes are available to those who are successful in obtaining all of the scavenger hunt items.

The entry fee of $110 includes one boat/vehicle entry, two poker hands, two t-shirts and two tickets to the Island Party. All entrants must attend the mandatory Captain’s Meeting on Thursday, June 7 at 6:00pm at Finz Waterfront Grille.

Registration forms are available by contacting the MIATC Office (772) 692-7599, at any of the stop locations, or download the information from our web site (www.miatc.com).

The Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, Inc. (MIATC), is a not-for-profit trade association representing Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties. MIATC is dedicated to the promotion of pleasure boating and its related industries. The marine industry’s economic impact in Florida--$18.4 billion annually— more than citrus and the cruise ship industry combined. The economic impact upon the Treasure Coast is $930 million annually and provides approximately 7,600 jobs.

Beautiful Boating Weather and Family Fun Make the
Stuart Family Fun Boat Poker Run a Success

Pictured David Kaffler, Caroline Kaffer.

On The Treasure Coast, FL (June 26, 2007) — June 9th was a beautiful day for boating and a great day to have a boat poker run. The Stuart Family Fun Boat Poker Run had 20 plus boats take part in this year’s event. Participants played their hands at five different stops in Jensen Beach and Stuart. The day wrapped up with an island style party at Wahoo’s on the Water.

The winning hand was a full house produced by David Kaffler on the Southern Comfort. Second place honors for a king high flush went to Laurie Walkens on the Cabin Fever; while third place went to Cortnie Tenpas who had a queen high flush.

“This event is different from our other events”, says Vera Locke, Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. “The poker run gives boaters a reason to get out on the water with the family and discover new places to visit by boat.”

The fun was for two good causes. The Martin County Artificial Reef Program and Stuart Sea Scouts Ship 801 are both beneficiaries of this year’s event. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers who made this event successful.

Slide Show