DELAWANA
INN TO HOST 2005 GEORGIAN BAY POKER
RUN
Honey Harbour resort to host 17th annual event
A winter of uncertainty has led to a spring season of opportunity.
Thanks to the Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort in Honey Harbour, the Power Boating
Canada Magazine GEORGIAN BAY POKER
RUN has a new home. This summer's event will be held on Saturday,
July 23 and will include a number of festivals and special events
in the Card Stop communities.
Last September, local Poker Run organizer David Gravelle informed
the Town of Penetanguishene that he was no longer in a position
to run the event on the Town's behalf. (Gravelle had been elected
to municipal council and felt it was a potential conflict of interest
to have the Town as a client.) The Town of Penetanguishene attempted
to find another event organizer to stage what has become as major
waterfront festival, but to no avail. It advised Power Boating Canada
Magazine it was reluctantly giving up the event.
The neighboring Town of Midland was approached to host the Poker
Run. It's deep water port and close proximity to the downtown core
made it an ideal substitute, and an opportunity to keep this major
tourism initiative in the southern Georgian
Bay region. However, the Mayor and Council voted against the
event, citing numerous logistical challenges. The granddaddy of
all Poker Runs seemed ready to fade into memory, until local organizer
David Gravelle was contacted by officials of the Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort.
The Delawana Inn is a 25 acre full service facility complete with
a Health Spa, Sports Facilities, Golf, Children's Program, Restaurants
and much more. The family resort has been the lunch stop for the
past two Georgian Bay Poker Runs
and is very familiar with the awe and excitement an event like the
Poker Run can create.
The 2005 edition of the Georgian Bay
Poker Run will begin with the annual KICX-FM Parade of Power on
Friday, July 22. Poker Run boats will leave the Delawana Inn at
7:30pm and make their way to the village of Port McNicoll in Tay
Township to pick up local physically and mentally challenge youth
and contest winners for this annual Thrill Ride. 
On Saturday, July 23 the Poker Runners will meet in the Mackinaw
Restaurant for the mandatory Driver's Meeting. Following the meeting,
the boats will fire up at 9:30 and conduct a slow parade through
the narrow channel until the green flag drops at the southern tip
of Beausoleil Island.
From there, the open water beckons, as the fleet goes westward
towards Christian Island and the Beausoleil First Nation for Card
#1. Chief Valerie Monague, and the entire band, as well as the hundreds
of tourists and cottagers who make this beautiful island their summer
home, will be at the docks awaiting the arrival of the big boats
and their crews.
From Christian Island, the usually tepid but sometimes treacherous
waters of Georgian Bay will be challenged
by both V-Hull and Cat - en route to the the birthplace of Poker
Runs - Meaford, Ontario. Lunch will be served courtesy of the Meaford
and District Chamber of Commerce and their community sponsors -
Chapman's Ice Cream, Bank of Nova Scotia, Muxlow's Pharmacy, Meaford
Foodland, Richardson Boats, Wasaga Marine, and Grandma Lambe's.
Following a hearty lunch, a top-up of fuel, and some time milling
the docks at the in-water boat show sponsored by Larson dealer -
Wasaga Marine - the poker runners will make their second crossing
of Georgian Bay en route to the
Port of Historic Penetanguishene, where thousands are expected to
line the docks (which have seen a $400,000 facelift) as Mayor Anita
Dubeau hands our the third card of the day. Penetanguishene has
been the host to the Poker Run for the past nine years, and was
saddened to see it move. However, the community can be very proud
of the warmth and hospitality it has provided to the poker run participants,
families, officials, and sponsors over the years. 
Next stop is the Village of Port McNicoll, in the Township of Tay,
where the lake freighters used to stop to unload grain from the
Lakehead destined for cities to the south. Long has the shipping
industry vanished, but the community is experiencing a resurgence
with an expanded program of activities around the Poker Run weekend
including live entertainment, a personal watercraft stunt show,
vendors, food, and much more.
The final stop will be back at the historic Delawana Inn. The small
channel in front of the Delawana Inn resembles the notorious Highway
400 and 401 interchange in Toronto on a busy summer weekend. Once
docked, the Poker Runners will gather on the marine deck overlooking
the channel for a cocktail reception followed by dinner and the
unveiling of the poker hands in the dining room.
Who will lady luck treat best this year. Be part of the 2005
Georgian Bay Poker Run to try your hand.
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>> Read what the Globe & Mail writes about the Del:
"Resorts help guests grow (naturally)...
The award-winning Delawana Inn in Muskoka is a family favourite
that offers special themed weekends and deals for family reunions.
Throw in the devotion to giving kids and their parents an outstanding
experience and it's clear why City Parent magazine and Hotel Fun
4 Kids recognized The Del as the best family resort.
Among the features is a program that allows junior naturalists to
work toward a Delawana Nature Certificate. From bird watching, hiking
and even an interactive reptile zoo, youngsters simply have to complete
three nature adventures during their stay."
(The above article appeared in Report on Travel Friday, June 18,
2004 on page D3)
DelaNews Newsletter >>
Resort a Fun Family Getaway
By Jack Kohane
as seen in Travel: The Toronto Sun's Destinations Magazine,
August 17, 2003
Read article >>
The Families That Play Together...
By Randy Ray
Globe and Mail, August 18, 2003
Read
article >>
Beausoleil Island, Yours to Explore
By Pamela Campbell
as seen at www.travel-travel-travel.com
Read
article >>
Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort Earns 5 Star Rating!
Details >>
Comprehensive Children’s and Family Vacation Programs leads
to City Parent “Best Of” award for the Delawana Inn
Details >>
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