2026 Kuttawa Cannonball Run
The 10th Annual Kuttawa Cannonball Run returns to Western Kentucky for another weekend of high-performance boating, charity fundraising, and waterfront entertainment on the scenic waters of Barkley Lake and Kentucky Lake. Organized by the nonprofit Midwest Powerboat Corporation, the annual fun run has become one of the region’s premier boating events while continuing to make a major impact on local communities throughout Lyon County, Trigg County, and surrounding areas.
Unlike traditional speed-focused poker runs, the Kuttawa Cannonball Run is built around community, charity, and bringing boaters together for a full weekend on the water. Participants spend the day cruising the lakes, visiting waterfront destinations, and enjoying organized entertainment while helping raise funds for local emergency services, youth programs, and community organizations.
Over the years, the event has donated more than $500,000 to charities and organizations throughout the region, including the Kentucky Sheriffs' Association Boys and Girls Ranch, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Lyon County Emergency Management, Trigg County Sheriff’s Office, and Tannah Tuff, NPC Warrior. The Midwest Powerboat Corporation operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, making contributions tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Registration for the 10th Annual Kuttawa Cannonball Run is $375 per boat and includes one boat entry, T-shirts for the Captain and First Mate, Friday lunch for both participants, Saturday lunch and dinner, and one official poker hand for the event. Organizers have confirmed that only one poker hand is permitted per registered boat, although additional cards — up to five total — may be purchased separately at the event tent during the weekend festivities.
The registration package also includes access to the participant tent during Saturday evening’s awards ceremony and entertainment events. Boaters will have designated parking accommodations either through walkway tie-ups or raft-up areas, with event staff assisting participants upon arrival. Note Registration ends:
Organizers note that registered boats cannot be substituted after registration if the original participating vessel becomes unavailable. Any replacement boat must complete its own official registration in order to participate in the run.
Set against the backdrop of two of Kentucky’s most popular recreational lakes, the Kuttawa Cannonball Run continues to attract performance boat owners, lake enthusiasts, and spectators from across the Midwest for a weekend that blends boating culture with meaningful charitable giving. The event remains one of the signature summer boating gatherings in the Kentucky Lake region while continuing to support the communities that host it each year.