Poker Run Fun

Today was our first attempt at holding a CF Poker Run.  There has been some talk amongst us about making the Poker Run an annual event.  After how things went today, we have some ideas of things that we would change and things we would keep the same!!  First off, I think it was getting to be too long of a time for the kids especially.  Raine was restless and Saxon was getting tired.  He eventually fell asleep on me and was getting upset whenever I tried putting him down.  Finally he was tired enough that I could put him on the ground on a blanket that I had gotten out of the car (yeah, we forgot the stroller at home - didn't have enough room in the car!)  But he's such a cute sleepy head!

When Aunt Lori got to the Green Mill where I was with the kids, she started joking about 'shaking people down' for donations.  That turned into her and the kids (Raine, Saxon, and Lori's daughter Emma) going on the Poker Run!!  The girls carried a Vikings bucket around at all of the stops and asked for donations to help fight CF.  They did really good - they raised over $90!!!  It's hard to say no to those cuties!!

We had 13 cards played for our first attempt at the Poker Run.  After paying out for our High Hand Prize (2 pairs - 9's and K's) we still had made $70 (we also received a $5 donation at the Green Mill).  So $160 for our first Poker Run, and not much at all in expenses - just the tagboard, printing, and stamps.

Some thoughts for next year:

Keep:

• The Poker Stops
• Liability Waivers
• Cash Payout
• Not required to be present for drawing (last minute change)
• Prizes

Change:

• Hours - shorter (2-5?)
• Providing maps of the route
• More advertising
• Later in the year (end Sept/begin Oct) to avoid state fair/vacations
• Actual raffle (?)

These are just a few ideas.  Several people have expressed interest in future/annual Poker Runs.  We may be adjusting the price and offering a discounted price for early registration.  Some things to think about.  I'm going to be sending Thank You notes to the locations tomorrow and asking them if we can hold our festivities at their locations again next year.  We're open for additional suggestions!!! :-)