Spring Harbor Hop Brings Out the Boaters
to Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. – Gentlemen and women, start your (boat) engines and build your best poker hand at the 9th annual Spring Harbor Hop at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks. The popular springtime event is set for 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6.

The unofficial start of the Lake boating season, the Harbor Hop is a “poker run” event that attracts as many as 1,500 participants who cruise among 46 checkpoints drawing cards for a potentially winning poker hand.

“Hoppers” can start their run at any of the sponsors' checkpoints – lakeside restaurants, bars and marinas along the Lake's main channel and its Big Niangua and Gravois arms – where they pay an optional $10 donation per seven-card hand and draw their first card.  Six additional cards are drawn as boaters “hop” to more checkpoints.  Players turn in their hand where they draw the seventh and final card. There's no limit to the number of hands an individual may play.

Prizes are awarded for first through 10th place.  Amounts are based on money raised from entry donations and paid in the form of gift certificates redeemable at Harbor Hop sponsors.  Based on past Spring Harbor Hops, winning first place could be worth around $500.

Players with a winning poker hand will be notified by mail.  But even “losers” can be winners in the Harbor Hop: Those who do not hold a winning hand will be eligible for a random prize drawing and one winner from each of four geographical sections of the Lake also will be recognized.

The Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau retains a portion of the money raised for administrative costs. Many sponsors donate their time on behalf of a charitable organization, and as a result funds are filtered back to the local community to support worthwhile causes.

The Spring Harbor Hop was inspired by the even more popular Fall Harbor Hop, which will celebrate its landmark 21st anniversary this year.  Both events are sponsored by the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau, the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association and lakeside restaurants.

“The Spring Harbor Hop brings people to the Lake at the beginning of the season and encourages them to visit again throughout the spring, summer and fall,” says Joel Pottinger, executive director, Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau.

Fun is a sure thing at the Spring Harbor Hop – however, good weather is not.  “But whatever the weather, true Hoppers hop,” says Marilyn Hartman, membership coordinator for the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau.

For more information about the Harbor Hop or other events, attractions, lodging and dining at Central Missouri's scenic Lake of the Ozarks, visit www.funlake.com or call 1-800-FUN-LAKE.

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