Year round, Key West is filled with all kinds of unique events including everything from the wild party of Fantasy Fest, to several boat races, Key West fishing tournaments, celebrity look-a-like contests, and everything in between. There is always something to do, some party to be had, and some activity to take place in while you are in Key West Florida. This month, the annual Key West Poker Run takes place from Thursday September 17th to Sunday September 20th. Poker Run is an annual fundraiser organized by Peterson Harley that takes thousands of bikers on a 128-mile journey along the Overseas Highway (US Highway 1) from Miami Florida down to the continental United States' southernmost island, Key West Florida. Along the way, participants make five stops, picking up a card at each stop. At the end of the run, each person has at least one hand of cards. The person with the best hand gets a reward. On Saturday, the top ten bikers with the best hands get to go at it at a game of Texas Hold 'Em.
The Ride Down to Key West
The ride down to Key West from Miami is one of the country's most beautiful and unique rides. Going over dozens of bridges as you traverse the Florida Keys, there is nothing like riding on a highway in the middle of the ocean. These bridges include the famous Seven Mile Bridge, the Bahia Honda Bridge, and the Long Key Bridge. Most of the bridges you go over these days were built pretty recently, but just next to them you can see the old train bridge built in 1912. Taking a step back to the history of Florida starts well before you reach the historic island of Key West Florida. Along the ride, participants of Poker Run make four stops in different keys including Islamorada. The last stop is at the Conch Republic Seafood Company in Downtown Key West.
This Year's Poker Fest
Registration for this year's Poker Fest in sunny Key West Florida started back on June 1st and ended on the 31st of August. To register now, head to one of the Peterson's Harley-Davidson locations (locations can be found on the run's main website). The fun starts on Thursday afternoon with a Poker Run Bar Stroll that takes you to some of the best Key West restaurants and bars for a free drink with your purchase of a $25 ticket. The bar hop ends at he Southernmost Beach Cafe located at the south end of Duval Street where people are welcome to join in on the Party On The Beach with a Hot Guys and Biker Babes contest. If you start your run up in Miami on Thursday (September 17th) there will be a pre-Poker Run Bike Night Party at Betty's Best Burgers located on US1 (which becomes the Overseas Highway a little further south of Miami) and SW 104th Street. The fun begins at 8PM at Betty's.
The official start of Poker Run is on Friday the 18th. Participants can start off at one of the two Peterson's Harley-Davidsons locations in Miami. At registration, they will be given a list of the stops along the way in which to collect your Poker Run hand. That day, there will be a Poker Run Vendor Village going on all day on Greene Street in Key West and a Hog Roast Welcome Party at the Schooner Wharf Bar located on the Key West Historic Marina at 5PM. The following day, the Poker Run fun continues with registration starting at 8AM again. That day, there will a Tattoo Contest at the Schooner Wharf Bar on the Key West Historic Marina, and a Biker Bash pool party from noon to four at one of the southernmost Key West hotels, the aptly named Southernmost Hotel. Then it is time for the main Key West Poker Run event with the Texas Hold Em' Grand Finale starting at 11PM at the Guy Harvey Bar and Grill in downtown Key West.
Things to Do While in Key West
While Poker Run will surely have you going to all kinds of bars and fun events during your stay in Key West, there is always time to go and experience the famous Key West tours and activities that keep vacationers flocking to Key West Florida year round. Definitely try to stay at one of the historic Key West bed and breakfast properties, most of which are 100-year old Victorian mansions that have been fully renovated into Key West guesthouses and provide guests with comfortable and conveniently located accommodations. If you do not end up in a guesthouse, at least stay in one of the downtown Key West hotels so that you will be close to all the action. As far as activities go, your options are endless in Key West Florida. Perhaps go on a classic Key West snorkeling adventure that will take you out to the fascinating coral reef gardens and allow you to take a peak into an almost magical underwater world. Or maybe try a Key West fishing charter and experience what all the fuss is about in the world of Key West fishing. One of the most popular tours in Key West is the Jet Ski Island Tour, a 2 hour journey around the entire island of Key West. For information on many more Key West tours and activities, head to BestOnKeyWest.com or call one of their reservation agents.
