The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE first annual Pirate's Cove Car Poker Run event will take place in Grand Bahama on Saturday when some 100 competitors will be competing for cash prizes, ranging from $400 to $2,000. Other exciting events are also planned for August 5 and August 7.

Dave Wallace, of Pirate's Cove, said they wanted to provide a fun activity for Grand Bahamians this summer while raising funds in aid of the Grand Bahama Red Cross Centre.

The poker car run will get underway at 4pm at downtown Freeport and will end at Pirates Cover at Taino Beach at 8pm.The best poker hand winner will receive $2,000 in cash; $750 and $400 for the second and third place, respectively.

"We are excited about the event, and we are looking for 100 cars to register and enter," Mr Wallace said.

Drivers will pick up their first card at downtown Freeport; the second card from Entwine in the International Bazaar; the third at 'A New Level' formally the old Captain's Charthouse, the fourth card at Phluid Phactory on Queen's Highway; and the final card at Pirate's Cove.

Mr Wallace said that on August 5, Pirate's Cove would hold a car and motorcycle show, as well as its first Bahamian Food Festival.

The events are expected to attract a large crowd.

"It will be something different for the kids to see, the cars and motorbikes are spectacular and are some of the best you will see on the island - it will add a wonderful attraction," Mr Wallace said.

He stated that the food festival is one of the highlights, and native food and dishes from various islands of The Bahamas will be available.

There will be Andros crab and dough and other crab dishes. Cat Islanders will be serving up peas soup and dough, and okra soup, Biminites will prepare various lobster dishes, Abaconians will serve wild boar and crack conch. Inguanians will make wild donkey and hush mouth, Long Islanders will serve curry goat, and Eleuthera will offer pineapple tarts.

"Bahamians can expect a taste of the islands, and we will have live entertainment in the evening," he added.

For the August 7 holiday, Pirates Cove will host the second annual Powerboat Poker & Jet Ski Run, with competitors coming in from Abaco, Bimini, and New Providence.

That event will start at 4pm, and there will be cash prizes of $1,500, $750, and $400 for first, second, and third place finishers, respectively. Mr Wallace indicated that part proceeds from all three events would aid the Grand Bahama Red Cross.

"I learned the importance of the Red Cross when I served as the MP for Bimini and West End because it was during my tenure I had 37 fires and I saw the Red Cross in action assisting the needy and homeless," he said.

"We are just coming through a devastating hurricane, and another hurricane season has started, and we want to assist them so that they can be able to help those affected," Mr Wallace said.

Cleveland Duncombe, of the Andros Association, and Rudy Stubbs, of the Cat Island Association, in Grand Bahama are looking forward to the Bahamian Food Fest.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Barr, the administrator of the Grand Bahama Red Cross, thanked Mr Wallace and Pirate's Cove for selecting the organisation.

"We have a lot of persons that are still coming in (to us) for assistance, and we are grateful to Pirate's Cove and the committee for selecting us. The donation will go a long way as we continue to serve the community of Grand Bahama," she said.