Marion held its first ever Great American poker run on Saturday, Aug. 28.
The poker run was put together by Steve Pool, a local businessman who wanted to have an activity that the whole community could enjoy.
“The idea is to bring the community of Marion out to do things,” Pool said. “To revitalize the area, to just, just, re-familiarize people with Marion and the different aspects of it.”
The objective of the poker run was to go around to five different locations throughout Marion and collect cards from a standard card deck. At the end of the day the participant with the best poker hand wins. Participants also were instructed to decorate their golf carts or bicycles in red, white, and blue.
To enter the poker run participants had to pay $15 per golf cart and $5 per bicycle. All proceeds went to Marion County Council on the Aging.
The poker run began at in the parking lot behind Tio’s Restaurant, then proceeded to the Marion County Museum, Withlacoochee Park, Courthouse Square, and then ending back at Tio’s Restaurant.
“A lot of people even forget about that we even have a museum,” Pool said. “You know, you get complacent, you just do your normal things every day, but we just didn’t want to do the normal things we always do, so then we just re-introduce people to the museum.”
A last minute game was added to the poker run called the history quiz, added Pool. He said five questions were given to participants and the answers to the quiz are located somewhere on the route to each poker run stop. Later that evening all the participants that got all the questions answered correctly had their names put into a drawing for $50.
“It’s just a way to get people to see some of these places as they drive by, not just ride to ride, but also to see their surroundings,” he said.
Hugh V. Coleman, a man who has lived in Marion for over 50 years, said he believes this event is good for the community.
“I think it’s a good think,” Coleman said. “I think it’s an initial endeavor to create a terrific community affair.”
Coleman also said many people from this particular town need things to do and it’s inexpensive and the family can be involved in it as well.
When the poker run was over, participants had the chance to enjoy food, music, and spend time with family and friends in the parking lot behind Tio’s.
The event was sponsored by Accent Signs and Printing, Main Street Marion, Tio’s, and the City of Marion. Tio’s was the host of the event.
Pool said that he got permission from Mayor Berry to do a poker run twice a year. He is hopeful that he can get another one planned around Christmas 2010.
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