CHATVC Poker Run returns for sixth year Sept. 26

By Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Coe Hill ATV Club is bringing back their annual Poker Run on Sept. 26, raising money this year for the Tri-Township Food Basket, located in Coe Hill. They have raised nearly $16,000 over the past six years for worthy local causes with the event. Registration details are on the club's Facebook page. Roxanne Lambert with the CHATVC said that the club encourages all the ATV riders to ride safely and use the QuadON app, which shows the status of all OFATV trails across Ontario in real time. Additionally she says riders can buy an enhanced version of the app which shows points of interest along the trails. She says that the CHATVC is part of the Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicles and that ATV riders can stay in touch by following them on their Facebook page or their website or by emailing admin@chatvc.ca. Lambert comments to The Bancroft Times on this upcoming ATV event. 

Lambert reveals that the CHATVC has been holding this Poker Run since 2000, and that due to COVID-19, it was a virtual poker run and they continued that format during the pandemic. She said the planning was going very well for the event.

“We are in the process of collecting prize donations for our raffle to finalize the lottery licence and the ride route will be determined soon,” she says. 

For those that may not know, a Poker Run give all registrants one poker hand, essentially five cards that will be drawn during the ride. 

“Participants can opt to purchase additional hands during registration. Our volunteers use a spreadsheet that outlines the various cards/poker hands. Typically two cards are drawn per person during the morning registration. During the ride, the other three cards are drawn. The results are recorded on the spreadsheet, and the top three winning poker hand participants are awarded their prizes during our closing ceremonies. The top poker hand wins $250, the second and third place prizes have not yet been determined,” she says 

Lambert says that this ride is also their fall colours ride so participants can enjoy the beautiful trails. 

“The CHATVC Trails volunteers plan and check the ride route about a week before the event so there may be some additional components, depending on the route selected,” she says. 

Entries for the Poker Run have varied between 40 and 60 people, according to Lambert, but sometimes not everyone registered shows up. 

“In 2024, we had 77 riders and in 2025 we had 94 riders participate. This was the highest registration we have ever had, and we had to close registration at the cap. We typically cap registration at 100 and for 2026, we hope to be close to our cap,” she says. 

The club has raised $15,982 over the  years for various worthwhile causes with the Poker Run, including the Wollaston Public Library, Care North Hastings, the Tri-Township Food Basket and the Coe Hill Legion.

Lambert reveals that the community has been quite supportive of the charity rides and people comment about the great financial support provided to local non-profits and service providers, who are also appreciative of the donations. 

Lambert told The Bancroft Times that they see very positive comments posted to their Facebook page from the participants, saying they enjoy the group rides and are happy to support the charities, so she encourages ATV enthusiasts to register early and give it a try. 

We don't typically have spectators, as this is private CHATVC registered event. The group gathers at the Coe Hill pavilion for registration about 8 a.m. and they leave about 9 a.m. The group typically returns around 2 p.m. for the closing ceremonies, for the distribution of the poker prizes, and raffle prizes.  All participants must register and pay in advance online and hold an OFATV permit (annual or day permit for CHATVC) for insurance purposes.   At registration we check people in, ensuring they have signed a waiver and provide them with a wristband, so our volunteers know they are with our group. We typically provide lunch on the trail for the participants. Raffle tickets are only sold during the registration / check in process.  Registration details for the Sept. 26 Poker Run will be posted on our Facebook page early in September, and CHATVC members will receive a club email with the details,” she says. “If someone isn't a CHATVC member and doesn't use social media, they can send an email to admin@chatvc.ca after labour day and we will provide the registration details.”