Providence Poker Run to Benefit Animal Rescue

Some of the many participants in the poker run. Photo/Providence Marina

Navigating the course in Waterplace Park situated along the Woonasquatucket River in downtown Providence. Photo/Providence Marina

What’s better than a day of boating?

How about a day of boating while playing a nautical poker game against other boaters and helping animals in need?

The Providence Marina in Providence, Rhode Island, will host their sixth annual Dinghy Poker Run on Saturday, May 31 (with a potential rain date of June 1).

The event is held to raise money for the Providence Animal Rescue League. Since the poker run began in 2019, boaters have raised more than $27,000 for local animals.

The event tent for the Poker Run. Photo/Providence Marina

For the poker run, participating boaters will cruise in their dinghy to various stops along the Seekonk and Providence River gathering playing cards in sealed envelopes. Upon returning to the marina, participants will present their cards. Best poker hand wins.

There will be a cash prize of 20 percent of event ticket sales for first place. All other proceeds from tickets, raffles, and T-shirt sales go directly to the animal rescue league.

Any type of dingy is allowed up to 13 feet long. There are no restrictions on power type or horsepower. (If your dinghy does not meet these specifications and you are interested in joining, contact the Providence Marina.)

The event is not a race, so participants can feel free to stop along the way and soak up the scenery of the Providence and Seekonk River.

Providence Animal Rescue League will be onsite with games and prizes and possibly some adoptable pets looking for their fur-ever homes.

Learn more about the Providence Dinghy Poker Run.

Heading towards the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. Photo/Providence Marina