Poker Run Lake Cumberland 2018

As “Miss Powerboat Nation,” the captivating Brittany Dunn is the face of our humble high-performance empire. Brittany was our emissary at the recent Lake Cumberland Poker Run, with headquarters at State Dock Marina. We asked her about the festivities, and she filed the following report.

Lake Cumberland Poker Run 2018 Video

Lake Cumberland was straight up Mardi Gras on the water—we’re talking off-the-hook wild. There were probably at least 120 boats participating in this 12th annual poker run, which is about what we’ve seen in previous installments. Sadly, a few regular attendees with bigger boats were absent this year, including Bill Pyburn of Florida, Mike Pierce of Louisiana and Bill Tomlinson in his turbine-powered catamaran My Way. We missed them, but the turnout was still pretty amazing. The DCB Powerboats crew was there with a houseboat, as well as Brett Manire and the team from Performance Boat Center,Joe and Wayne Schaldenbrand from Sunsation Powerboats (with their new 39CCX center console), and Mike and Angela Goldbaugh with their 36-foot Skater. Brett Manire also had the new Wright Performance catamaran on hand, and it really turned a lot of heads.

Lake Cumberland Poker Run 2018, US, Friday, 07. September 2018 Combining the raw fury of over 150 of the country’s meanest & fastest powerboats with the fun & energy of Mardi Gras, this year’s Poker Run is sure to be the best one yet! Come along with us as we hit up Lake Cumberland for Thunder Run. Becoming one of the bigger runs around. We didn't run, just went for the party. Lake Cumberland: pokerrun - See 20 traveler reviews, 127 candid photos, and great deals for Russell Springs, KY, at Tripadvisor. Online registration for 2018 LAKE CUMBERLAND THUNDER RUN. Online registration ends June 17th 2018.

I had a blast, but with only a couple of days, it’s hard to get around and talk to everybody. I make my rounds, walking the docks or swimming at Harmon Cove (aka “Party Cove”), always trying to connect with as many people as I can. I love re-connecting with all of the regulars, but it’s also great fun encountering all of the new faces each year, and posing for selfies with everybody. And since it’s in Kentucky, everybody is super hospitable.

As usual, one of the highlights was the scene at Harmon Cove, which has to be the world’s largest raft-up, with thousands of boats coming together to create this massive convergence of power and camaraderie, containing everything from 50-foot speedboats, jon boats, pontoons, houseboats—every single boat you could think of. They call it the Gauntlet, and it happens virtually every normal weekend. So just imagine what it’s like when you add in all of the out-of-towners who come in for the poker run. It’s mind-boggling, and it’s a huge blast. It’s nothing but beads and Jell-O shooters and bottles of Fireball being thrown at you.

Poker Run Lake Cumberland 2020

Poker Run Lake Cumberland 2018 Events

During the poker run, I was lucky to be invited to ride with Adam and Amy Carpenter of Michigan, who own the black 34CCX Sunsation, Discrete. I met them there two years ago, and we’ve stayned in touch ever since. When I mentioned that I was coming to Lake Cumberland again this year, they said, “Well, we call dibs—you’re running with us!” The Carpenters hung around with Billy Georgiou, who was there in his MTI center console, Megaflexin.

Craig Ford of Campbellsville, KY, was the big first-place winner of the poker run. He took the grand prize of $5,000 for his incredible hand—a king-high straight flush! Dwane and Wendy Hall of Black Lick, OH, were the second-place winners of $3,000, with their full house, and Chad Asbury of Augusta, KY, got a third-place win of $2,000 with a a high flush.

Lake Cumberland Poker Run 2018 Images

I can’t wait for next year’s poker run!

COMMENTS

LAKE CUMBERLAND, Ky. (LEX 18) — At least 40 people were arrested over the weekend by Fish and Wildlife officers during Poker Run on Lake Cumberland.

23 of those people were arrested Saturday night on a variety of charges - including boating under the influence and alcohol intoxication.

Lake Cumberland Poker Run 2018 Pictures

One of those arrests included a 53-year-old from Louisville, who was arrested for possession of cocaine and other charges.

No boating accidents were reported, but the Monticello Wayne County 911 communications center reported a couple of incidents on the lake Saturday.

In one incident, a person ended up having to go to the hospital. There has been no word on that person's condition.