Almost 30 participants took a tour of the area for a local cause on Saturday.
The Dell Rapids Swift Drifters Snowmobile Club’s poker run drew 28 participants in a fund raiser for the city’s recreation trail.
The total amount of money raised for the trail had not been tabulated as this story went to press.
The full route of the poker run covered about 100 miles, said Mike Munk, member of the snowmobile club and one of the poker run’s organizers. The run began at the Old Dutch Inn and ran through Baltic, Colton, Chester, Wentworth, Egan and Trent.
The weather cooperated for the run, with temperatures in the 80s and mild conditions.
“It was perfect day for riding – beautiful weather, no wind, nice out,” said Munk.
Participants could travel by the mode of transportation of their choice. When the participants reached one of the run’s designated stops, they got a stamp. The participants got a poker hand at the Dutch Inn when they collected five stamps. The participants with the best poker hands won prizes.
Rick Morris of Dell Rapids won first place and claimed the $100 prize. Mike Henriksen of Dell Rapids got the $60 second place prize, while Jill Murphy of Dell Rapids got the $40 third place prize.
The event was designed to raise funds for the Dell Rapids Trail Committee in order to help match grants being used to complete a trail system. One of the grants will come next year from the South Dakota Department of Transportation. That grant will be worth $500,000.
According to the city’s Web site, the hike/bike trail will cover 12 miles. A significant section of the trail is expected to be completed next year.
Committee member Linsey Duffy said that two phases of the project are planned for next year. That will allow the group to combine grants and make the local fundraising stretch farther, she said.