The 7th annual Pigeon Lake Poker Rally, back this year with a new name but the same community spirit, was well attended and brought in over the fundraising goal.
Held on Feb. 22, at the Ma-Me-O Beach Hall and around Pigeon Lake, the event benefited local schools and several community organizations.
The event is being organized by the Pigeon Lake Family of Schools committee which works together to benefit Lakedell, Falun, Pipestone, and Piegeon Lake Regional School (PLRS).
The poker rally saw over 1,000 vehicles and about 2,000 people on the ice.
All the hands, the 50/50 and other raffles sold out and a total of $100,000 before expenses was raised, according to committee member Melissa Tizzard.
The weather cooperated as well, making for a great day.
Just 18 hours before the event opened, the temperature was a frigid -45 degrees Celsius but it warmed up to a pleasant plus seven right on time.
"So it was just gorgeous," said Tizzard.
Mike Hoflin of Good Measure Services cleared the deep snow in preparation for the event, providing access to the lake and parking areas.
Each stop on the rally had food or entertainment which was enjoyed by all the attendees.
The sponsor for stop five sold hamburgers and hot dogs to the registrants and donated the proceeds back to the event.
At another stop, two wood carvers from Spirit Lake Carving demonstrated their skills, turning a tree trunk into a finished sculpture.
Two stop sponsors also had additional draw prizes for participants.
School principals and former teachers came out to help with the event, and fire services, RCMP and Fish and Game officers were onsite as well.
"The bake sale did really well," said Tizzard. "That one is always super popular."
Westerose restaurant Daisy McBean's donated several tubs of ice cream, which was a sweet end to the day.
The first place winner for the best hand was Gord Hutchcroft, who took home $2,000.
Second place went to T. VanderVeen ($1,000), third place to D. Walsh ($750) and B. Stephan collected the consolation prize of $250 for the worst hand.
A total of $66,529.93 was raised after expenses.
The four local schools will each receive $13,552.71.
The night before, Feb. 21, a pre-event was held at the Lakedell Ag Society hall. The sit down supper with a DJ raised funds for the PLRS 2025 grad class and the ag society.
There were bucket raffles that night, a 50/50, and a game of chicken poop bingo, where the first square the chicken pooped on was the winner.
The PLRS Parent Grad Committee Class of 2025 will receive $3,000.
The Mulhurst Bay Fire Department and South Pigeon Lake Fire Department will each receive $2,795.73, the Pigeon Lake Preschool and Pigeon Lake Santa's Elves will both receive $1,397.86 and the Ma-Me-O Beach Legion will receive $931.91.
