On July 11 to 14th, there’s only one place to be and that’s at the Bellville waterfront for the second annual Bay of Quinte Poker Run and Rendezvous in partnership with the Belleville Waterfront Festival.
THURSDAY
The action is set to begin Thursday when the midway opens at 4 p.m. in West Zwicks Park at the Belleville waterfront, located just before the causeway bridge. The Ethnic Food Festival, which opens at 6 p.m., is set please taste buds with an array of delicious authentic tastes from China, Poland, Mexico and the Caribbean. Over the course of the evening families and children of all ages can enjoy entertainment from RJ the Balloon Dude and Twistopher, or challenge a friend at the Pony Hop races.
Throughout the entire weekend everything from jewelry, crafts, clothing to linens, books, and multicultural crafts & clothing will be available in the Vendors Marketplace, so be sure to stop buy for some great summertime deals.
On the main stage at 6:30 p.m. local popular music trio, The Reasons, will rock the pavilion with all the great hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s. At 7:30 join Carl Dixon from The Guess Who and sing along to “No Sugar Tonight”, “Here Comes The Sun”, “Undun”, “Love The One You’re With”, “More Than A Feeling” – to name a few. The Reasons return to the stage at 8:30 for another set, and at 9:30 Michael Shotton, vocalist and drummer extraordinaire and his band will take you on a journey through a decade of music recorded by groups like Queen, Journey, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and Aerosmith. What a way to end the night!
FRIDAY
The excitement builds on Friday as the Poker Run boats begin to arrive in town and display their magnificent machines in East Zwicks Park. These huge boats will be on display and spectators will have the opportunity to meet the drivers and crew. Of course, the midway and the Ethnic food festival continue all weekend in West Zwicks Park. Don’t miss one of the many Ultimate Air Dogs Competition shows or the Canadian Indie Music Festival performances from 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Kids will love the Tim Horton’s Children’s Village and at 5 p.m. join the 120-member Gouverneur New York Wildcat Marching Band as they march from the front gate to the Tim Hortons Children’s Village performing a Paul Simon Tribute.
The evening entertainment features ABBAMANIA, Shania Twin (tribute to Shania Twain), and Night Fever – a tribute to the Bee Gees. All shows take place on the Main stage.
SATURDAY
Come on down to the beautiful Belleville waterfront by 10 a.m. to get a good seat to catch the excitement, hear the roar of the engines, and watch as the Poker Run boats light up the water at the official start of the 2nd annual Bay of Quinte Poker Run! This years’ run is once again in support of Prostate Cancer Canada and we ask that you consider donating what you can to help find a cure for this disease that affects one in seven males and their families.
The Poker Run and Rendez-vous boats will complete a pre-determined and safety-regulated route with the starting line just off Meyer’s Pier and will return to the Zwick’s park waterfront area around 4 p.m. In the meantime, stay for the day and enjoy all the excitement of the Outdoor Power Sports Show and Belleville Waterfront Festival in both East and West Zwicks Park area.
The Outdoor Power Sports show features Bikes By The Bay motorcycle show, fishing demonstrations from the pros from Fish TV, and lots of great opportunities to climb aboard some of the very best fishing boats in the world. Jason Thorne, the only Canadian member of Metal Mulisha, will also be on hand to thrill the crowds with his motocross freestyle aerial acrobatics.
Don’t miss the 6 p.m. show by Power Connection, a 13-piece powerhouse tribute to the horn bands of the 60s, 70s & 80s including Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago and Lighthouse as well as R& B standards by James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, Sam & Dave and many more. The highlight of the evening occurs at 8:30 p.m. as the Montreal based Boogie-Woogie Band takes the Main stage invites you to dance and sing as they perform all the great Disco style dance tunes like “That’s The Way I Like It”, “YMCA”, “Funky Town”, “Freak Out”, and “I Will Survive”.
SUNDAY
The Belleville Waterfront festival continues with the midway and Ethnic Festival happening all day and at 4pm the entire weekend wraps up with a tribute to the Beach Boys. What a way to wrap up an incredible summer weekend. Come on out, bring the entire family for a summer weekend filled with excitement, events and entertainment you won’t want to miss. Free Admission for everyone. Parking is just $2 per vehicle.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Belleville Waterfront Festival – www.bellevillewaterfrontfestival.com
Bay of Quinte Poker Run – www.pokerrunsamerica.com
Bay of Quinte Rendezvous – www.powerboating.com
Prostate Cancer Canada – www.prostatecancer.ca
2012 Bay of Quinte Poker Run Winners
1st PLACE WINNERS
Gwen and Pat Bray from Belleville, Ontario, with their 42’ Sonic, took home first place with a straight hand. Crewing were Tina Britton and Mario Araujo.
2nd PLACE WINNERS & 3rdPLACE WINNERS
