The inaugural Art Lilly Memorial Poker Run drew 42 boats and roughly 200 participants to the Chesapeake Bay on August 15–16, 2025, honoring the late offshore racing legend while raising funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation. The course ran from Pusser’s/Light House Point Marina (Baltimore) to Tolchester Marina and finished at Fisherman’s Crab Deck (Kent Narrows) a spirited, community-first tribute that lived up to its “wide open” billing.
Inaugural Art Lilly Memorial Poker Run Goes “Wide Open” On The Chesapeake Bay
42 boats and ~200 participants raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation
BALTIMORE, Md. — August 19, 2025 — The first-year Art Lilly Memorial Poker Run brought together 42 boats and roughly 200 participants across the Chesapeake Bay on August 15–16, honoring offshore racing legend Art Lilly and raising money for the Parkinson’s Foundation. The strong debut turnout reflected Lilly’s enduring impact on the Bay’s performance-boating community. Speed on the Water Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association
Saturday’s run followed a classic Bay route: a captain’s breakfast and meeting at Pusser’s/Light House Point Marina (Baltimore), a mid-day stop at Tolchester Marina’s Shanty Bar (Chestertown), and a finish at Fisherman’s Crab Deck (Kent Narrows) for dinner and the final card draw. A welcome party at Red Eye’s Dock Bar kicked off festivities on Friday. Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association
Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association (CBPBA), the event blended seat time with social time—exactly the mix Lilly was known to inspire—while channeling proceeds to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name. Sponsorships, captain and rider packages, and additional poker hands helped amplify the charitable impact. Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association
About Art Lilly
A multiple-time champion and longtime Bay icon, Art Lilly founded Lilly Sport Boats and is recognized as a founding father of the CBPBA; his legacy continues through the region’s racing and performance-boating culture.
