Hogs poker run attracts hundreds of motorcycles

By Mark Ribble

REGIONAL — About 500 motorcyclists and their passengers participated in the Hogs for Hospice first ever Poker Run on Saturday, July 31. Business was booming at the five locations across the county as players could pick up a card at each of them, trying to form the best poker hand and win the big prize.

The GOAT in Lakeshore was one of the stops, joined by Amherstburg’s Shooter’s Roadhouse, Jose’s Bar and Grill in Leamington, Crabby Joe’s in Essex and CBG’s in Colchester. The event was sponsored by Sunset Produce, Presteve Foods, Double Diamond Farms and Erie James.

“This allowed us to support the entire community,” said Hogs spokesman Joe Oswald. “We wanted it to benefit local restaurants.”

The 2021 Hogs for Hospice concert weekend would have taken place this weekend but was postponed until next year due to COVID restrictions.

Volunteers were busy checking tickets and helping participants at the Hogs for Hospice Poker Run on Saturday, July 31.

Photo courtesy of Hogs for Hospice

Oswald credited the Hogs for Hospice Headquarters team with pulling off the poker run with such success.

“They did a fantastic job,” he said. “They just said, we can do this and we got this.”

Chris Lucas took home the top prize of $5,000 cash for his full house. Second prize went to Derrick Arnew, who won $1,000 for his flush. Third prize of two VIP tickets for next year’s Hogs concert went to Tim Merritt for his three aces.