Everyone's Invited to Join Emily's Hope Poker Run

Hit the Road for Emily's Hope Poker Run This June

Grab your keys, fuel up, and get ready to hit the road for a good cause.

The 8th Annual Emily's Hope Poker Run, presented by J&L Harley-Davidson, will roll through the Sioux Falls area on Saturday, June 27. The event features a scenic 100-mile ride while raising money to support Emily's Hope and its mission to stop stigma and save lives.

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Open to All: No Motorcycle Needed!

You don't even need a motorcycle to participate. Organizers say anyone driving a street-legal vehicle is welcome to join the fun.

Registration will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at J&L Harley-Davidson, located at 2601 W. 60th Street North in Sioux Falls. The cost is $25 per participant. Make sure that you arrive hungry, as members of the Sioux Falls HOG Chapter will be serving breakfast during registration.

The poker run route will take participants on a tour of the region with stops at Valley Corner Bar in Valley Springs, Belly Up Bar & Grill in Inwood, Iowa, Waddy's Bar & Grill in Hudson, and Kim's Korner Bar & Grill in Worthing before returning to JJ's Wine, Spirits & Cigars in Sioux Falls.

Celebrate While Making a Difference

Riders and drivers are expected to arrive back at JJ's by 5 p.m. to draw poker hands and determine the winners. The celebration will also include a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, food, and live music from Chad Madsen until 7 p.m.

Best of all, organizers say 100% of donations and registration fees raised through the Poker Run will support Emily's Hope's ongoing efforts to educate communities, reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, and save lives.

If you're interested in joining in, you can pre-register online before the event.

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.