For Poker Runs America, the fast-paced world of offshore performance boating never slows down. As this issue goes to press, we're busy putting the final touches on our 2002 event calendar. Kicking off the season, we've got the first of three Sarasota Poker Runs, starting with April 5-6, and we're working on paying a return visit (after a two-year's absence) to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri towards the end of May (for a full schedule see page 19). Alexandria Bay, New York, will be followed by our invitation-only Casino de Hull run in June.

But one of the major poker run extravaganzas this coming year will take place on the July 4th weekend in Sarasota, when the combined forces of Poker Runs America and the Suncoast Offshore Racing Association present the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival and Poker Run, featuring races, a poker run, parade, high-performance boat displays, fireworks and much more.

From Florida, we head back to Hammond, Indiana, for the Indy Offshore Poker Run, then back to Georgian Bay and Montreal. It looks like we'll be making our second appearance in Cleveland, Ohio, too, hopefully also as part of a race weekend.

The grand-daddy of our season will be the internationally acclaimed 1000 Islands Can-Am event. In October, if all goes according to plan, Washington, North Carolina - the home of Fountain Powerboats - will once again be the host site of a Poker Runs America spectacular.

While our season ends in October, again in the City of Sarasota, Florida, let's not forget that, under the umbrella of our American Poker Runs Association (APRA), there'll be repeat performances of such gala events as Michigan's Smoke on the Water (read about it in this issue), the Baltimore Marine Center Poker Run (also featured in this issue), Lanier Harbor, Buford, Georgia's grand spectacular event and Highport Marina and Resort's Poker Run in Pottsboro, Texas.

By next issue, we'll have some more groundbreaking news. Until then, we'll see you in Miami for the boat show. Be sure you pay us a visit at our exhibit!
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