Still time to take part in 2021 Mayor’s Poker Run

    It’s not too late to get in on the 8th annual Mayor’s Charity Poker Run set to take off from Imperial Saturday morning.
    The preregistration deadline has passed, but organizers say people can still register the day of the event in the Imperial city gym at 740 Court Street.
    If people want to register prior to Saturday, they can do so by sending a message by email to jol@imperial-ne.com. Forms are also at the Imperial city office.
    Those registering from now until Saturday won’t have a T-shirt for the event, but they will receive one later, said Jo Leyland, a Giving Circle member whose organization will benefit from the proceeds.
    The $30 fee to take part covers the poker hand, supper and T-shirt, along with a chance to win some door prizes.
    Giving Circle members will handle registration Saturday morning, as well as provide and serve the meal that evening back in the city gym. The menu will include chicken nachos, salad, dessert and drinks.
    The first vehicle out Saturday will leave at 10:30 a.m. Registration will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
    Mayor Dwight Coleman will lead the riders, and two, three and four-wheel vehicles are all welcome, Leyland said.
    After leaving Imperial with their first poker card in hand, participants will stop at Western Keg in Benkelman, then travel on to St. Francis, Kansas for lunch and a tour of the motorcycle museum in that community.
    From there, they will continue on to The Boonies in Wray, Colorado then to Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Holyoke, Colorado. From Holyoke, they’ll return to Imperial for their final playing card, when they’ll aim a dart at a board of cards.
    The top three poker hands will win Visa gift cards in the amounts of $200, $100 and $50.
In order to take part in the poker hands, participants must be a minimum 21 years of age, Leyland said.
    Each vehicle registered will also be entered in the “bug spot” contest. They’ll place a sticker on their windshields, and the bug splat closest to the sticker while traveling will win a prize, Leyland said.
    All registrants will also be entered in a drawing for door prizes. A 50/50 raffle and a silent auction for a wooden flag wall hanging will also be part of the day’s events.