The First Annual Hamlin Lake Poker Run is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, on Hamlin Lake, bringing local boaters and lake residents together for a full afternoon of poker hands, waterfront stops, and community fundraising benefiting the annual Hamlin Lake Fireworks display. Organized by the Hamlin Lake Preservation Society, the inaugural event is expected to become a new summer boating tradition for the Ludington-area lake community.

According to organizers, the poker run will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, with a weather backup date scheduled for Sunday, June 21. Participants will travel by boat to multiple host locations around Hamlin Lake where they will draw cards to build their final poker hands throughout the afternoon.

Registration for the event is completed by purchasing tally sheets for a minimum $10 donation per participant. Organizers explained that each participant aboard a boat must have an individual tally sheet in order to participate in the poker hand competition. All proceeds from the event will directly support the annual Hamlin Lake Fireworks celebration.

Participants are required to preregister and pick up tally sheets at Cottage Works during designated business hours leading up to the event. Organizers noted that registration closes on Tuesday, June 9, with no late registrations accepted afterward.

Throughout the afternoon, participants will cruise between various host docks and beach locations around the lake collecting cards while enjoying the start of the summer boating season on Hamlin Lake. Completed tally sheets must be turned in no later than 4:30 p.m. at the beach located near the north end of the Lower Hamlin Lake dunes where final scoring and winner announcements will take place.

Organizers are also seeking additional volunteers interested in hosting poker run stops from their private docks or beach locations around the lake. Community participation and local lake involvement are expected to play a major role in the success of the inaugural event.

The Hamlin Lake Preservation Society says the poker run is intended to serve as a relaxed, family-friendly day on the water while helping preserve and support one of the Ludington area’s most popular annual fireworks traditions. Additional registration and event information is available through HamlinTownship.org.