The Pontiac Quad Club held the 3rd edition of its much anticipated “BIG WOW” Poker Run this past Saturday. Marking the return of an event that had been put on hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event drew in attendees from throughout the Pontiac and beyond.

Participants gathered at the Shawville Lions Club between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to register and be briefed on the events format. With four other locations aside from the Lions Club – The Junction Restaurant, Ladysmith Hotel, Clarendon Street Café and Restaurant Malyvia – being listed as checkpoints, participants would travel by 4×4 to each location.

Once arrived, they would collect a sealed envelope with a playing card within it. Told not to open the envelope until they arrived back at the Lions Club for the event’s conclusion, the envelopes were opened by event coordinators to reveal the poker hand they had collected throughout the day. With the hands revealed, prizes were given out to the best ones. First place won $500 with second and third place taking home $300 and $200 respectively.

With the event completed, participants enjoyed a spaghetti supper and socialized amongst each other.

Aside from the main prizes, 94 gifts donated from throughout the community were also handed out using a draw system. Prizes ranged from hats, gloves, helmets and gift cards to local establishments.

According to Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Quad Club, Diane Barrette, 111 participants registered for the event and $1,500 was raised for Bouffe Pontiac. Barrette said she was glad to see people enjoying themselves and that events like the “BIG WOW” Poker Run could exhibit the Pontiac and help encourage tourism.

“It is a great way to showcase the region and allow people to see what we have to offer,” said Barrette.

Representatives from Bouffe Pontiac, the regions foodbank and an organization with the stated mission of promoting the “social and economic vitality of the community”, were also present at the event collecting non-perishable food donations.

“People have come from all over,” said Director of Activities and Recreation for the Quad Club, Guy Chénier. “I have seen lots of new faces.”

One hundred and eleven participants registered to take part in the 3rd edition of the “BIG WOW” Poker Run.

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