One of the country's most popular poker runs is returning to Florida's Fort Walton Beach/Destin area next weekend. Presented by the Florida Powerboat Club (FPC), the Emerald Coast Poker Run is set to be even bigger in 2010. Scheduled for August 11-15, organizers have been trying their best to ensure participants that there are no oil problems in the area, and that the 18th annual poker run will go on as usual.

"As organizers of the Emerald Coast Poker Run, we certainly have met some challenges along the way with bad information about the gulf oil crisis," said Stu Jones, FPC president. "Pre-registration numbers have been down, but the irony is that even though no oil sightings have been reported in the Destin/Fort Walton area, the poker run course is entirely on inland waters … away from the Gulf.

"Now that the well has been capped, there is renewed optimism with boaters, and the registrations seem to be coming in on a more steady stream," Jones added. "We urge boaters to pre-register at www.flpowerboat.com, to avoid the lines, late fees and slow checkins. There's some great parties planned every day, including a free Sunday night Lynyrd Skynyrd Beach Concert at the Boardwalk, which is poker run central!"

The event includes a casino night on Wednesday, the Miss Boat Week contest Thursday night, a kickoff party Friday night and the poker run on Saturday followed by a party and charity auction for the Emerald Coast Foundation, which raises funds for a variety of local youth charities. Sunday's events include a Crab Island raft-up party, a water ski show and a free Lynyrd Skynyrd concert at Boardwalk on the Beach.

FPC promises two helicopters flying Friday and Saturday, two video crews shooting and new checkpoints on the course, giving the high-speed boats more room to spread their wings and fly!

For more on the event, check out www.emeraldcoastpokerrun.com or register at www.flpowerboat.com.