Paddle for Presque Isle

Paddle for Presque Isle

Can you imagine playing poker while paddling through Presque Isle?

The Presque Isle Poker Paddle kicks off summer on Saturday, June 3 in a unique way: It invites paddlers to take on a 6.25-mile trip through the park while playing poker.

Paddlers stop at five checkpoints where they will draw a card. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins $300, and the player with the worst wins $150.

The round-trip paddle route travels through Presque Isle's lagoons, Marina Lake, Presque Isle Bay, Horseshoe Pond, Misery Bay, and Graveyard Pond. Proceeds benefit the Presque Isle Partnership.

Participants will receive a commemorative P.I. Poker Paddle t-shirt, a safety whistle, and admission to an after-party at the Millcreek Brewing Company with complimentary beer. Plus, more than $400 in door prizes will be raffled off, and every participant receives an entry.

Paddlers should arrive at least 45 minutes early and park at Beach 11, where a shuttle bus will provide rides to and from the launch site.

The paddle is a "Bring Your Own Boat" event, but for an additional $15, participants can reserve a kayak by calling event coordinator Jim Butts at 838.5144, ext.102. – Tracy Geibel

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. // Presque Isle State Park, 301 Peninsula Dr. // $45 // discoverpi.com/events/presque-isle-poker-paddle