The Pigeon Lake Poker Rally, formerly known as the West of the Fifth Poker Run, is a local tradition that pulls the community together to support local schools and organizations.
Now in its seventh year, the family fun event, to be held on Feb. 21 and 22, is the main annual fundraiser for four rural County of Wetaskiwin schools, as well as several other non-profit groups.
The event is being organized by Pigeon Lake Family of Schools planning committee. The group works together to benefit all four local schools: Lakedell, Falun, Pipestone, and Piegeon Lake Regional School (PLRS).
"It's just so much community spirit in order to support the kids," said Melissa Tizzard, one of the seven organizers on the committee.
Superintendents, principals, school staff, community members and businesses all get involved to help make the event a success, said Tizzard, adding it takes about 100 volunteers over the two days to pull the whole thing off.
"To fill all those (volunteer) positions is just wild to me," she said.
Donations that come in from community members and local businesses cover everything to the buns and meat for the pre-vent dinner to the breakfast wraps, to prizes like loads of gravel and septic pump out services.
"I'm always flabbergasted at the support," said Tizzard.
"It's just such a long list of people we're grateful to."
Things kick off Friday night, Feb. 21, at the Lakedell Ag Society hall, with a pre-event benefiting the PLRS 2025 grad class and the Lakedell Ag Society.
There will be a DJ and sit down supper. Bucket raffles will start that night and there will be a 50/50 draw that evening.
There may also be a silent auction for some of the bigger-ticket items or possibly a bake sale as well, said Tizzard.
"We have a lot of local bakers, artisanal creators and restaurants that like to contribute," she said.
Swag, dinner tickets and poker hands can be pre-purchased online.
The main event takes place Saturday, Feb. 22 at Me-Me-O Hall and Pigeon Lake.
The poker stops open at 11 a.m., so players can start anytime after that, beginning at the hall or from any stop on the lake.
There are a total of five poker stops and no set order to complete them in. Participants just need to be back by 4 p.m. so their hands can be scored.
Each stop is manned by a local sponsor. Besides drawing playing cards for participants and recording the information on their hands, stops will have snacks, campfire music, hot chocolate, hamburgers or other treats.
"Each stop is like a little party - it's super fun," said Tizzard.
"It's such a good opportunity for all those businesses to have one-on-one interactions and face time will all those locals," she said.
Fish and Wildlife, fire services and RCMP will be onsite to ensure the safety of participants. There will also be first aid available if required.
Snowmobiles, ATVs, quads and side-by-sides are all welcome.
All participants should ensure they have the proper, up-to-date registration and follow all operating regulations.
If preferred, participants can also drive their vehicles on the road around the lake, as all the stops have access points from the beach.
For some people, such as seniors, this is a lot easier and allows anyone who wants to, to take part, said Tizzard.
There will be cash prizes for the top three hands: $2,000 for the best hand, $1,000 for the second best, $750 for the third, and even $250 for the worst hand.
The online 50/50 draw has a potential to win $10,000.
Proceeds from the poker rally this year will also support the Pigeon Lake Legion and the Pigeon Lake Preschool.
Each poker hand is $20 and can be pre-purchased online.
"You can buy as many hands as you think you can handle," said Tizzard.
There is a cap of 1,000 hands so participants should buy theirs early to avoid disappointment.
Organizers are hoping to sell out quickly. If they don't, there may be some available to purchase the day of the event, but people shouldn't count on it, Tizzard cautioned.
"There is the potential there won't be any available closer to the event date."
The registration link and links to the various raffles for the poker rally can be found on their Facebook page, "Pigeon Lake Family of Schools." Poker hands are purchased through the registration form.
For more information on the event, visit their page or email pigeonlakepokerrally@gmail.com.
In past years, the poker rally has consistently raised about $100,000 before expenses, according to Tizzard.
"We're so grateful for whatever we get," she said.
"We're hoping for another good year."