Run for the Aces Poker Run
The 2026 Run for the Aces Poker Run is scheduled for July 9-11, 2026, bringing performance boats, Chesapeake Bay boating enthusiasts, and waterfront nightlife together for a three-day event hosted by JelLEEfish Joel's Beach Bar. The growing summer poker run has quickly become one of the Chesapeake region’s emerging performance boating events following a strong inaugural turnout in 2025.
Organizers describe the event as a full weekend experience centered around poker runs, beach bar parties, marina gatherings, pool parties, and live entertainment throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. The event is hosted by the LRG Unlimited family, which also operates Tiki Lee's Dock Bar and Lee's Landing Dock Bar.
The weekend officially begins Thursday, July 9, with a welcome party at JelLEEfish Joel’s and Fairlee’s featuring live DJs, food, drinks, and dockside entertainment as participants arrive ahead of the poker run activities. Organizers expect the Thursday kickoff to serve as the main meet-and-greet night for participating boaters and crews before the on-water events begin Friday morning.
Friday’s schedule features Day 1 of the poker run, sending participants north toward Lee's Landing Dock Bar for a lunch stop and pool party before the fleet returns south for nighttime festivities back at JelLEEfish Joel’s. Organizers stated that live music, poker activities, and beach bar entertainment will continue throughout the evening after boats return to the marina.
Saturday’s Day 2 route will head south into the Chesapeake Bay with a featured lunch stop at Tiki Lee's Dock Bar along with additional southern checkpoints expected to be announced closer to the event weekend. Saturday’s activities are also expected to include another pool party, live entertainment, poker hand scoring, and an evening airshow before final festivities conclude back at JelLEEfish Joel’s.
Interest in the 2026 event has reportedly increased significantly following the success of the inaugural run, with organizers recently announcing that onsite hotel accommodations have already sold out while additional VIP slips and lodging options continue to fill quickly.
The event headquarters are located at Great Oak Landing Marina in Chestertown, placing participants within direct access of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waterfront destinations that make up the multi-day poker run route. The event is expected to attract a wide variety of offshore, center console, and high-performance boats from throughout the Mid-Atlantic boating community.
Registration details, VIP information, and additional event updates for the 2026 Run for the Aces Poker Run are available through JelLEEfish Joel's Official Event Page.