Search the Rooster Tails online calendar and you’ll find more than 43 recreational boating events—mostly of the go-fast vessel kind—listed for July. That translates to 10.75 events per July weekend around the country. At least in terms of volume, that’s an impressive number.
Marquee events such as the Boyne Thunder Poker Run are a tiny fraction of the total go-fast boating affairs in July. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
By comparison, there are 26 events listed for August, and there were 12 listed for June. July easily is the biggest event-month of the summer.
You’ve heard of the big-name July events such as the Boyne Thunder Poker Run, the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run, the Lake Cumberland Thunder Run, as well as the Big Thunder Marine BFD Fun Run and the Performance Boat Center Outboard Fun at the Lake of the Ozarks. You’ve likely even heard of the HK Powersports Land And Lake Poker Run on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, the July 30 Borden Light Poker Run in Massachusetts, the July 18 Battleship Run in New York and the Ohio River Poker Run July 25 in Indiana.
But have you heard of the Lake Chelan Poker Run, which is set for July 10 in Washington? Or the Top Gun Poker Run July 24 in Wisconsin? How about the tongue-twisting Rappahannock Poker Run in Virginia on July 11?
Like many of you, I’ve experienced most of go-fast boating’s marquee events in July and will again next month. But until I looked through the Rooster Tails calendar, I never knew there were so many July events I’d never heard of.
And I have to admit I’m intrigued. Even the July 21 Toontime Poker Run on the Indian River in Michigan looks like it could be a hoot.
My point is simply this: There are July events you’ve tried and—if you like them—return to every year. But breaking the norm and trying something new can yield a fine experience.
Worst case? The “new” event you pick turns out to be a dud. You can rule it out.and try something new next July.
You certainly won’t lack for options.