Thirty-seven years ago, Phil Peterson came up with the idea of a poker run to boost the motorcycle business, and the Key West tourist trade during the slow September season. What started with 46 riders has grown to become South Florida’s biggest motorcycle party weekend of the year. Today, more than 10,000 riders from all over the U.S. enjoy this event. They rumble from Miami to Key West, enjoying the sunshine, ocean breezes, and riding on the many bridges that cross over the beautiful turquoise water.

Along the way, they make five stops and draw a card at each stop. The winner is the lucky rider who draws the best hand. This year, if you draw one of the top ten hands, you get a chance to play one round of Texas Hold’em at The Guy Harvey Bar & Grill, located on Greene Street, across from Sloppy Joes. The Round will begin Saturday Night at 11:00 p.m., featuring a winner take all, a brand new Sportster 883 Custom! The City of Key West blocks off an eight-block area of Duval Street. A bike show is held in front of Rick’s/ Durty Harry’s and Sloppy Joe’s Bar on Saturday. Locals, tourists, and bikers all enjoy the sights and sounds of this mini-Mardi Gras with its carnival atmosphere, music, food, cold Budweiser, and Cola-Cola.

Everyone benefits, because over the years, these bikers have brought millions of dollars to the Key West economy and charities like the Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club, who have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for their worthy causes. If motorcycles ever had a bad reputation with some people, this long-time charity event has gone a long way to giving riders credibility and respect.

Riders who want to participate in this year’s 37th Annual Phil Peterson’s Key West Poker Run can sign up at Peterson’s Harley-Davidson of Miami, N.W 194th Street, and U.S. 441 or at the new Peterson’s Harley-Davidson South, S.W. 198th St., and U.S. Highway 1 where the turnpike crosses over U.S.1 in Cutler Bay.

You can purchase your poker hands starting September 1st, and until 12:00 noon on Saturday, September 19th. The Poker Run does not begin until Friday, September 18th at 8:00 a.m., and ends in Key West on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. We request a $10 donation per hand, and there is no limit to the number of hands you can play. Any make of motorcycle, car, or truck is welcome. It doesn’t matter what you ride or drive, just don’t miss this one-of-a-kind biking event!!