Coming soon to Key West—Over 10,000 bikers and friends who will ride, admire custom bikes, party, and raise funds for a very worthy cause: the Diabetes Research Institute.  The 39th Phil Peterson Poker Run from Miami to Key West will be held September 15-18. I am sure this is the most scenic bike ride in the world!  Bikers will ride 113 miles on the Overseas Highway.  Here is a preview for you in a video clip from a previous Poker Run.

Phil Peterson is a long-time Harley-Davidson enthusiast.  He bought his first Harley-Davidson when he returned from World War II. In 1953, he became a Harley-Davidson dealer in a “little Navy town way south – - Key West.”  Later he owned a Harley-Davidson dealership in Miami.

The Phil Peterson Poker Run started in 1972 with 46 riders and grew to become the largest biker party in all of South Florida.  I think it is even more impressive, however, that in the past two decades the Peterson family has raised over half a million dollars for the Diabetes Research Institute. Funds from this year’s Poker Run will also be donated to charities of the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club.

A Pre-Poker Run Party will be held on Thursday, September 15 at Peterson’s Harley-Davidson South in Miami. The real fun begins when registration opens at 8:00 a.m. on Friday and bikers begin their 113 scenic miles. Riders stop at designated locations along the route to draw cards.  When the ride ends, those holding one of the ten best hands will play in a winner-take-all round of Texas Hold ‘Em. The grand prize awarded to the winner is a new Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle or $6000 in cash.

Key West‘s Duval Street will be the scene for several special biker events and a vendor village will be set up on Greene Street. The Poker Run continues on Saturday with the same route and designated stops. Other events include Rick’s/Durty Harry’s Bike Show, Sloppy Joe’s Biker Bash, The Paradise Tattoo Contest and the annual Blessing of the Bikes through the Christian Motorcyclists Association.  The grand finale will be held at Cowboy Bill’s Saloon at 11:00 p.m.

I believe that Key West is number one in knowing how to combine fun and worthy causes!  That’s a great part of our Key West paradise – always a sense of fun and yet very caring people. Who wouldn’t want to call this home?  Give me a call today and we’ll get started on your home search.  Margarita Villoch: 305-304-8505.