Lake Martin Charity Poker Run
The Lions Lake Martin Charity Poker Run is scheduled to return to Lake Martin on Saturday, July 18, 2026, continuing one of Alabama’s most established boating charity traditions. Organized in partnership with Russell Marine and local Lions Club organizations, the annual event combines a full day of boating, poker hand competition, marina stops, live entertainment, and fundraising activities benefiting local Lake Martin charities.
The poker run has become one of the signature summer boating events on Lake Martin, regularly drawing large crowds of recreational boaters, performance boats, lake homeowners, and returning crews from across Alabama and neighboring states. Organizers say the event continues to raise thousands of dollars annually for local charitable organizations while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere centered around a day on the water.
Participants are expected to begin the day at Kowaliga Marina, where registration and the first poker card draw will take place between the morning hours before boats depart across the lake. The route traditionally includes several well-known Lake Martin marinas, including Real Island Marina, BoonDocks at Bay Pine, River North Marina, and The Ridge Marina as participants collect poker cards throughout the day.
According to organizers, the 2026 event will once again feature expanded cash payouts along with multiple prize categories for highest hand, worst hand, and best crew. The popular Best Crew competition has become one of the event’s most recognizable traditions, with teams often arriving in coordinated costumes, themed outfits, and decorated boats competing for awards based on originality and creativity.
Entry fees are expected to remain around $200 per boat hand and traditionally include official event merchandise such as a poker run T-shirt, Lake Martin summer T-shirt, Russell Marine swag bag, koozies, boat flag, and additional participant items. Organizers also typically offer participants the opportunity to purchase one additional card later in the event to improve their poker hand before final scoring.
The poker run concludes at The Ridge Marina, where participants gather for food, live music, awards, and final poker hand announcements later in the afternoon. Organizers have noted that the event has sold out in recent years and encourage early registration for teams planning to participate in the 2026 run.
Additional registration details, official rules, and updates for the 2026 Lions Lake Martin Charity Poker Run are available through Russell Lands Events.