Mar 21, 2022

Mercury Racing will be a new Diamond Sponsor of the 2022 1000 Islands International Charity Poker Run. The event is scheduled for July 14-16 in Clayton, N.Y. Mercury Racing will be on hand with its Tour Truck and other product displays and will donate an item for the charity auction.

“In just a few years the 1000 Island run has become one of the most talked-about events of the season,” said Steve Miller, Mercury Racing director of customer experience. “It’s a beautiful area and the water and the course give owners a chance to let these performance boats stretch their legs. At the end of the weekend, the goal is supporting these great charities and Mercury Racing is delighted to have an opportunity to support the event.”

The 1000 Islands International Charity Poker Run was founded in 2016 as a non-profit with the goal of raising funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York, the River Community Wellness Program at River Hospital, and other local non-profit organizations. The event was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to pandemic restrictions but donated $17,000 in 2021 through its dedicated sponsors and raised more than $100,000 in 2019.

“Getting involved with Make-A-Wish has made us all grateful and humble for the good fortune we have in our lives,” said Ken Lalonde, president of the 1000 Islands Poker Run. “River Community Wellness provides mental health programs for the community, including veterans and service personnel affiliated with Fort Drum. The endorsement of the event by Mercury Racing, a leader in this performance segment, is very important to us.”

Lalonde also has commitments from leading performance boat manufacturers Mystic Powerboats, MTI and Nor-Tech Boats.

The new Harbor Hotel in Clayton, directly adjacent to the municipal docks, is event headquarters. The schedule includes a boat street show on Thursday, Make-A-Wish rides on Friday, the poker run on Saturday, and a gala banquet on Saturday evening. The event draws 100 to 120 boats with four stops on the 150-mile scenic Saint Lawrence River. Registration for the 2022 event is now open at 1000 Island Run.