Poker run, music festival help raise money for Scott City band shelter

The Scott City Park Board sponsored a poker run Saturday, followed by a music festival co-sponsored by the Scott City Kiwanis.

The money raised will go toward a proposed band shelter in Scott City Park. The band shelter planned is an amphitheater-type construction that will allow the city to host concerts and music festivals. The park board will break ground once it has reached its $10,000 goal.

The first annual poker run started at Minor's Harley-Davidson, between the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport exit on Interstate 55 and Scott City, and ended at Scott City Park, going through Scott County with stops for riders to pick up poker cards. Stops included Boar's Nest in Scott City, River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Mo., Schindler's Tavern in New Hamburg, Mo., and the Rustic Lodge in Zalma, Mo.

The winning hand was a pair of aces, held by Karen Brown of Cape Girardeau. She received prizes from local businesses, including gift certificates to Domino's Pizza and Las Brisas Mexican restaurant in Scott City.

The park board was hoping for around 100 entries but expected 50 to show up. The total number of hands dealt out Saturday was eight. At $10 a hand, that puts the park board $80 closer to its goal. The Kiwanis sold food and refreshments, contributing the profits to the band shelter.

Scott City Park Board members said they believe turnout was dramatically lower than hoped because four other poker runs were being held the same day.

The music festival started around 4 p.m. after the poker run ended in Scott City Park. Bands playing at the festival included Bone Kings, Midnight Heroz and Small Town Boyz.

"We came to the festival tonight to rock 'n' roll and support the local fundraising," said Chris Scabelski, a Scott City resident who has friends in one of the bands playing.

The festival ended about 10 p.m., but the music continued on at Schock's Pub.

The park board has now raised more than $1,000 for the band shelter and will continue to hold fundraisers. A Texas hold 'em tournament is planned for November.