Motorcycle “Poker Run” could return to Key West

BY PRU SOWERS

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

Despite a local non-profit organization pulling the plug last year on its sponsorship of the annual Poker Run motorcycle event, biker Drew Peterson has applied to the Key West City Commission for permission to hold the event again this September.

Peterson’s application describes a scaled-back event on Sept 15 and 16, with no street fair or motorcycle show as in previous years. The application asks that Duval Street from Front to Eaton streets be closed for motorcycle parking, as well as both Greene Street and Caroline Street between Whitehead and Simonton streets. The application also applies for an exemption from city noise restrictions.

Peterson said he expects 10,000 bikers to participate. The application also promises to donate at least $15,000 to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation in Hollywood, Fla, and “Keys Rotary Clubs.” But the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club pulled its sponsorship after last year’s event and no other non-profits have stepped forward yet to take over, according to Key West City Manager Jim Scholl.

“My understanding, at least up to now, is there has been no approval from any [local] non-profits to take over,” he said.

While a local sponsor is not a requirement for granting a special permit that would allow street closures, commission approvals in the past have usually been made in part because of the economic benefit to a city organization. The Sunrise Rotary Club provided a large roster of volunteers to help run the motorcycle event in the past in return for a donation in the range of $20,000, Scholl said. Without a local club profiting from the event, commissioners will have to decide whether there is a city-wide economic benefit that outweighs the traffic congestion and safety issues that come with the event.

While emphasizing it is up to the commission to decide, Scholl said he believes the Poker Run has outlived its usefulness. In the past expenses were low and sponsorship contributions were high. That has been reversed in the past few years of the event, which is celebrating its 45 anniversary this year.

“I think it’s an event that is past its prime. It’s too much work for too little earnings,” he said, adding, “There’s been a visible presence of bike gangs. That raises a concern.”

There was one bar brawl last year at Rumors Lounge that police had to break up, the first in the history of the Poker Run in Key West. In the past, Sunrise Rotary has paid for off-duty police officers stationed at the six stops along the run, where bikers received a poker card that can be redeemed for prizes. It is unclear who would pay for added police protection now that the rotary has pulled out.

At least one resident has already weighed in against granting the special permit. Randy Becker, in an email to commissioners, said the Poker Run is not an asset to the city.

“Noise, increased violence, and little cultural value to the city is what this event brings. There will be little if any financial accountability provided to the city; we could always trust the Rotary for this in the past, but that is gone. In an event with much cash floating around, I have little trust that we will have full and proper accounting for all of it,” Becker wrote.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]