In support of our nation’s armed forces and host of active-duty service members, the annual Support Our Troops Poker Run Presented by Big Thunder Marine is formally scheduled for the same weekend as XINSURANCE Offshore’s APBA National Championship Series races. On Friday, June 20, the Support Our Troops Poker Run’s schedule will merge together as one with XINSURANCE Offshore’s annual fun run, beginning with breakfast and a safety meeting at 8 a.m. at Dog Days Bar & Grill in
Osage Beach, MO.

“Hosting the Support Our Troops Poker Run is truly a privilege for us at Dog Days,” said company co-owner Mark Barrett. “It’s a great day of camaraderie and fun on the lake, and it’s a great way to honor the soldiers and many sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe. We will start the day by serving a wonderful breakfast to participants before they board the baddest boats on Lake of the Ozarks to partake in the poker run. The day’s events will then end back at Dog Days with dinner and an awards ceremony on the Boardwalk. The Support Our Troops Poker Run is one of the do-not-miss events here at the lake.”

XINSURANCE Offshore—formerly referred to as LOTO Powerfest/Lace Race prior to the acquisition of its regatta permit by the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Board of Directors last year—attracts racers and spectators alike from across the United States and beyond to participate in or partake in the viewership of high-performance marine racing along the inland shores of Central Missouri. This event, coupled with one of the largest poker runs at Lake of the Ozarks, will optimistically broaden the impact of overall donations raised for all veterans, including the soldiers who will be riding aboard and participating in the poker run that day (the majority of whom are stationed at nearby Fort Leonard Wood, a U.S. Army training installation located in the Missouri Ozarks Region).

"Big Thunder Marine is honored to once again support such a meaningful event at Lake of the Ozarks," said Big Thunder Marine Marketing Coordinator Sage Rush. "The Support Our Troops Poker Run is an incredible opportunity for boaters to come together in support of our military heroes. We’re excited to collaborate with the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout team to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever."

In addition to the support of Big Thunder Marine, Shady Gators will provide all soldiers/active-duty service members who are participating in the Support Our Troops Poker Run with concert tickets to a planned racer concert party that evening after the conclusion of the run, as well as a VIP experience at Shady Gators.

“You know that I absolutely love and appreciate our veterans,” said Shady Gators Co-Owner J.G. Goram. “I am so happy to be able to give them this experience.”

Friday, June 20, 2025—Support Our Troops/XINSURANCE Offshore Poker Run Schedule of Events:

8 a.m.—Breakfast & safety meeting at Dog Days Bar & Grill
10:30 a.m.—First flight departs from Dog Days Bar & Grill
11 a.m.—First stop at Franky & Louie’s Beachfront Bar & Grill
12 p.m.—Second stop at Tap & Grill Lakeside Brew Haus
1 p.m.—Third stop at Shady Gators
2 p.m.—Fourth stop at Neon Taco
3 p.m.—Fifth stop at Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar & Grill
4 p.m.—Finish at Dog Days Bar & Grill

(Card turn-in begins at 4 p.m. at Dog Days, followed by an on-site dinner, entertainment, and awards ceremony at 6 p.m.)

For additional information or to help support Support Our Troops/H.E.R.O.E.S. Care in raising funds for this event, please visit Big Thunder Marine’s website at: BigThunderMarine.com > Events > 2025 Support Our Troops Poker Run > Register > Run/Volunteer/Sponsor Registration

For additional information about the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email Director@LakeoftheOzarksShootout.com

For additional information on Shootout events and registration in 2025, please visit www.LakeoftheOzarksShootout.com

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