Organizers of Desert Storm and the Storm Poker Run Team announced today the cancellation of the planned October event.
A press release issued by the group stated, “After great attempt and dedication, the Storm Poker Runs Team decided that it was in the best interest of the sponsors, participants, volunteers and spectators that it was best to cancel the 2020 event. After the Spring event (Desert Storm) announced postponement, from April 2020 to October 2020, the Storm Team thought five months would be ample time for the world to get back to a state of normalcy. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has proved to us that this year has been far from predictable and expected.”
The Storm Team announced in a FaceBook Live today that the event is inevitably canceled for the 2020 year.
“It is with a heavy heart that the 23rd annual Desert Storm Poker Run announces cancellation,” said Christina Nichols, Event Organizer/ Owner – Storm Poker Runs. “While it is our great pleasure to bring this level of high performance boating to the West Coast, and excitement to Lake Havasu each spring and fall, the decision needed to be made to protect all involved. We eagerly look forward to the 2021 event.”
“This is the first event in 23 Years the Nichols Family was unable to provide an event.” Jimmy Nichols event organizer/ owner of Storm Poker Runs stated, “Christina, myself, and the entire Storm Team, have tried, and we are as disappointed as you that the event cannot happen. Just understand this is not for lack of trying. Christina has been trying to push water up a hill and as we know that is no easy feat. It is heartbreaking to hear her in the office and the sound of defeat when she communicates another municipality or organization has told us NO. Over the 23 years we have cancelled the Shootout two times because of weather, and we have had to make minimal changes over the years to keep the event functioning and work with all the Government municipalities that we do, but NEVER have we been forced to cancel the event entirely.”
Storm Poker Runs hosts two events annually in Lake Havasu, each with their distinct features/events that make them special. The Spring event is a five-day event that boasts parties, charity elements, the largest Street Fair, Poker un and shootout on the West Coast. The Fall Event – Monster Storm – is on a much smaller scale only covering three days. The Storm Team refers to this as their small family, intimate event. This event has parties, lunch runs, Poker Runs and the Awards Party is like no other. Our boating families plan their costumes over the entire year. The cancellation of this year’s two Storm events will not only have implications for the local economy but will also affect funding for its nonprofit beneficiaries from each event.
The dates for 2021 are April 21 -25, 2021.
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