Third Annual Upper Cumberland Poker Run sees more than 50 motorcyclists

Windows shook as 50 motorcycles and a half dozen classic cars stopped in Williamsburg to draw cards Saturday during the Third Annual Upper Cumberland Poker Run.

Drivers then proceeded to their next stop in London as part of a five-stop, four-hour tour of Southeast Kentucky’s back roads.

This year marked the addition of a flight of classic cars launching from the Middlesboro Mall in addition to the motorcycles.

The top three hands and the worst hand all received prizes at both locations.

Beth Davis, an Upper Cumberland Board member, said, “We are so excited to see these enthusiasts come to Williamsburg and experience a bit of ‘Burg hospitality.”

Sponsors supported this event, raising more than $5,000, to be distributed back to the communities’ non-profits as grants.

Last year’s grant winners were the Whitley County Farmers Market, The Corbin Public Library for its summer reading program, and Corbin First Baptist Church’s White Flag Ministry providing rooms for the homeless on cold nights 29 degrees and below.

Whitley County’s board representatives are Beth Davis of Edward Jones Investments, Rich Prewitt of Cumberland Valley Rural Electric, and Sandi Curd from the Kentucky Highlands Promise Zone.

Even during such a challenging year, businesses sought to sponsor this event.  Special acknowledgment is due: Advent Health of Manchester, The First National Bank of Manchester, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, Century 21’s Heather Barrineau, Forcht Bank, Hometown Bank, Tim Short Auto Mall Middlesboro, Dr. John Newcomb, and Barbourville Tourism.

The Upper Cumberland Community Foundation is a leading and trusted community foundation, enhancing Eastern Kentucky through charitable giving, community involvement, and strategic partnerships by investing assets in our communities.

The Community Foundation works to enrich the quality of life for Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, and Whitley counties. Upper Cumberland Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, a network of nationally accredited foundations across the region.

To learn more or support this work, donations to the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation can be made by visiting www.appalachianky.org/upper-cumberland-community-foundation.