Claremore Welcomes Motorcycle Enthusiasts

The 2nd annual Dog Iron Poker Run will be held Saturday, April 28, beginning at the Claremore VFW.

(L to R): Herb McSpadden, Rogers County Youth ­Services; Tanya Andrews and Lisa Dennis, Claremore Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Jessica Putz, ­Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs.

The 2nd annual Dog Iron Poker Run is set for April 28. The event kicks off at the Claremore VFW with registration at 11 a.m., the first bike out at 1 p.m., and the last bike out at 2 p.m. The inaugural poker run raised $1,400 for Rogers County Youth Services, and they hope to raise even more with the 2nd annual poker run.  

Cars, motorcycles, or whatever you might drive or ride are more than welcome to join the fun. All proceeds benefit Rogers County Youth Services. Riders can purchase their playing card at $5 per hand, or buy four hands and get the fifth one free. Obviously, the more you buy, the better chance you have to win the high hand (number).  

Top prize is $500 cash, sponsored by Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs, and will go to the rider with the highest overall number, for the high hand. Each stop will have event volunteers that will record the number on the number chip, so essentially they are playing with numbered chips, not cards. “We haven’t forgotten those of us who usually lose at poker, so we have a great prize for the low hand (number) winner,” says Tanya Andrews, executive ­director of the Claremore Convention & Visitors Bureau. Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs will give a Race Day table for six in the Turf Club. This prize winner will receive dinner for six, with each ­member of the party ­receiving a T-shirt and racing programs.  

Several other prizes will be raffled off, some at the beginning and the end of the Poker Run, and others only at the end. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. There will be a 50/50 raffle, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to Rogers County Youth Services, and the other 50 percent going to the winning raffle ticket drawn. Event T-shirts will be available for purchase at both the VFW and Will Rogers Downs, with proceeds from T-shirt sales also benefitting RCYS.

New this year are seven stops on the run, two of which can be used to throw out two of the rider’s lowest numbers, and these two “extra stops” are free. Riders must make a minimum of five stops, so the “extra” are not required. Stops include the Claremore VFW, Totem Pole Park, Hilltop in Chelsea, Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, Pops in Oologah, Graybeards in Collinsville, and the final stop to check in is at the Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs.  

“With a $90,000 budget shortfall in the next fiscal year, this couldn’t come at a better time,” said Herb McSpadden, Rogers County Youth Services executive director. “To help raise funds, organizations have to be creative and think outside the box, so when we were approached about this event, we were glad to hear of the interest and recognize the diverse background of participants that are looking forward to it.”

Tanya Andrews, a long-time motorcycle enthusiast, believes that riders from across the state are missing out on the beautiful scenic rides in northeast Oklahoma. “Enthusiasts like us come from all walks of life. Many are business owners, ­professionals, doctors and lawyers, and represent one common thing – we all like to ride and are always looking for that next place to ride to,” said Tanya. “Motorcycle enthusiasts like causes, and especially feel for those that involve children. This is a great cause and they need our help. What RCYS provides is a great service to our community and to all of northeast Oklahoma, so if we can help raise a little money to help, we are glad to do it.”

Everyone is welcome to ­participate in the 2nd annual Dog Iron Poker Run on April 28, starting at the Claremore VFW at 1717 W. Dupont. Please contact the Claremore Convention & Visitors Bureau at (918) 341-8688, visit online at www.visitclaremore.org, or email  eat1@eau1eav1eaw1 for more information. 

For more information, contact

Dog Iron Poker Run

(918) 341-8688