Go-fast boats hit beach this weekend

With the cancellation of the powerboat races this year on Fort Myers Beach, boating enthusiasts can still get a glimpse of the rocket-fast vessels this weekend.

Poker Runs of America, an international high-performance boating group, is holding a poker run, something that's more common among motorcycle riders.

Boaters will head off on defined routes to collect playing cards at stops along the way. The best hand at the end of the day wins.

More than 200 speedboats - some faster than 180 mph - are expected for the beach poker run Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5. Many of the boats will be on display at Salty Sam's Marina, 2500 Main Street, Fort Myers Beach. The public is welcome to view these high-speed, exotic boats.

The event starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with a few parade laps off the Pink Shell Resort on Fort Myers Beach, then its off on the run.

"Providing a 5-star service is what we are committed to doing," said Bill Taylor, president of Poker Runs of America. "From the marina to the hotel, down to the free GPS programming for all of the waypoints of the Poker Run course, this is just a little savoring of what this year's Fort Myers Poker Run is all about."

This year's poker run will benefit Voices for Kids, a volunteer organization that works with the state's Guardian ad Litem to help children in need.