"Poker Run 2003" by Anne Brodie Hill

Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Print

In the painting, starting at the top and going clockwise, is the start-finish line floating scoreboard which flashes each participant’s race number every 30 seconds and times the race. Next is the helicopter carrying the video and camera photographers who follow the race, getting spectacular shots of each boat. John Homonek of Duluth, GA. is shown with his friends in their Best-Looking Crew pontoon

"Remembrance to September 11." New in 2002 was the exciting Las Vegas-style Casino Night at Emerald Pointe Hotel which benefited several charities.

Each participant is familiar with the official checkpoint houseboats around the lake, as shown staffed by the Koenigs, the Musones and crew. And everyone knows Barkley Geib, with his microphone, walkie talkie, cell phone, and stop watch, always smiling, showing lots of patience, and in total control.

The POKERRUN.COM 35-foot Formula is a familiar powerboat, especially with the distinctive graphics of the dogs playing poker on the port and starboard. Oldies Lake 102.3 fm has been a sponsor every year and furnished great music during the race. The large pontoon boat, flying all 9 Poker Run flags, is A-Maysing Services, a local dock-building and repair service. They have been responsible for the setup and building of the start-finish line and "command and control" docks every year. Starting in 1994, the start-finish line was in the cove near Lanier Harbor Marina. Due to the increase numbers of participants in 2000 (over 300), the start-finish line was moved to the area near Buford Dam.

On the wave runner in the lower right corner are Cindy and her dog, Dottie. Cindy has been a Poker Run volunteer every year. Directly under the words "Poker Run 2003" are the 2 houseboats, the center dock where volunteers hand out the clue packages, and the "Island Queen", the Lanier Islands Emerald Pointe Resort party houseboat.

In the bottom left is Dr. Geraldo Santiago’s "Zero Cavity" Bat Boat. He is performance boating’s favorite racing dentist and takes teens and their families (from the Make A Wish Foundation) for rides in the Bat Boat. Above Dr. Santiago’s powerboat are several of the boats, including the Super Heroes boat, waiting for the race to begin, with Buford Dam in the background.

Pontoons, cruisers, and powerboats from Lake Lanier and all over the country, are the three classes of boats in the Poker Run. Boaters of all ages, with very different styles of boats, come together for a weekend of fun and prizes. And each year gets better and better !

Poker Run Statistics: 1994 started with 20 boats; 2002 had 198 boats

50 volunteers, two charities

1994 entry fee was $25; 2002 entry fee was $150