There’s a new twist to this year’s Ride for Independence that is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 14.
Instead of the typical poker run, which entails the collection of playing cards for a poker hand, participants will accumulate poker chips at each stop along the route. There are five different colors of chips but their value will be unknown until the end of the event.
The Poker Chip Run will wind its way through part of the Sunflower Diversified Services service territory.
Sunflower, which sponsors the annual event, is raising money to buy a heavy-duty swing set for people with special needs.
“We really need to replace an older swing set that has a lot of wear and tear,” said Cody Harris, Sunflower director of planned giving and community support. “Also, the current one doesn’t accommodate people in wheelchairs.”
The retail cost for the adult swing set is $3,000.
Poker Chip Run registration begins at 10 a.m. at Dry Lake Brewing, 1305 Main, Great Bend. Participants will leave by 11 a.m. and travel to Tracy’s Pub & Grill, 706 Main, La Crosse; Squeegy’s Bar & Grill, 100 E. Front St., Claflin; and County Seat Bar & Grill, 105 W. Main, Lyons.
The destination is the annual Party in the Park at Veterans Park, Great Bend, at around 3 p.m.
“We are grateful to the city of Great Bend for opening its huge annual Party in the Park to us,” Harris said. “There will be so much happening and we appreciate being part of it.”
The value of the poker chips will be drawn publicly at the conclusion of the ride. First place wins 20 percent of rider entry fees and second place garners 10 percent.
Ten dollars is awarded to anyone holding five chips of the same color or five chips of all different colors.
Fees are $35 for riders and drivers, and $10 for passengers. An extra poker chip is $5.
Pre-registration is encouraged by visiting www.sunflowerdiv.com. Those who sign up early are guaranteed a free t-shirt. The shirts are $15 for others.
For more information, contact Harris by calling 620-792-1325.
Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults with delays and disabilities in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.