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Poker rally just plain fun

There’s something about playing Texas Hold ‘Em while quadding along open fields in the dead of winter.
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A group of snowmobiles and ATVs come off Lacombe Lake during the first Blackfalds Optimist Club ATV and snowmobile poker rally Saturday.

There’s something about playing Texas Hold ‘Em while quadding along open fields in the dead of winter.

It’s just plain fun, according to those who attended the Optimist Club of Blackfalds’ first snowmobile and ATV poker rally on Saturday.

Just over 185 riders from all over Alberta zoomed along a 60-km loop west of Blackfalds for the chance to win prizes and raise money to benefit local children’s causes.

Kim White of Blackfalds couldn’t wait to fly on the snow.

“It’s relaxing. It’s freedom getting out there and forgetting about your everyday life,” said White, a nursing attendant at Lacombe Hospital.

Blackfalds’ Nicole McKnight, wearing a neon pink and black helmet, said the sport is great because it can involve the whole family.

Brad Stewart of Blackfalds couldn’t agree more. He spent the day with brother Glen.

“It’s a great way to stay in shape,” said Stewart, a recent millwright graduate. “You look at the people riding motocross tracks — one lap is like running three or four kilometres because it requires endurance. It takes a lot out of you.”

The participants came across five checkpoints where they built a poker hand.

Whoever had the best hand at the end of the day was the cash winner.

Optimist Club President Jeremy Deleeuw and fellow club member Dale Bolze created the event in part because they heard it was a big money generator for other clubs, including one small club in Saskatchewan that makes about $35,000 annually.

“A lot of our fundraisers, we only make about $2,000 to $3,000 at a time,” said Deleeuw,

Money from Saturday’s event was raised through a 50-50 raffle, a silent auction and registration fees. Some of the proceeds will be forwarded onto the Blackfalds Fieldhouse Society which wants to build a recreational facility.

Remaining dollars will be forwarded onto the club’s general funds.

The money can then be used for various endeavors, including minor sports and meeting medical needs of children. More than $10,000 was raised on Saturday.

Deleeuw said organizing the event was a lot of fun, and it gave him the chance to meet area farmers who offered up their land for the day.

“They were so friendly,” he said.

The only downside — Deleeuw didn’t get to ride himself.

“It’s my favourite sport, I absolutely love ATVing,” said Deleeuw. “It’s fun, it’s carefree.”

ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com