A Weekend to Remember in Bobcaygeon
What started out as a broken-down boat just two weeks before the event turned into one of the best weekends of the summer, all thanks to the dedicated team at Birch Point Marina. Huge thanks to Jeff, Matt, and the entire staff for getting the boat repaired in record time, just in time for the Performance Boat Club Canada Poker Run in beautiful Bobcaygeon.
Perfect Weather, Perfect Vibes
The weekend brought everything you could hope for: warm sunshine, crisp fall air, and a stunning display of autumn colours lining the shoreline. It was the kind of setting that made you stop and appreciate where you were, and who you were with.
Friday Night: Street Party Energy
Things kicked off Friday evening with the Powerboat Street Party on Bolton Street in the heart of Bobcaygeon. The atmosphere was electric, drawing large crowds of enthusiastic spectators. The event was a huge hit with locals and visitors alike, all coming together in support of local charities (Spirit of Christmas and Bobcaygeon foodbank).
Live music by Johnny Vandusen set the tone for the evening, while great food from local favourites like The Wig House and Graz made it unforgettable. Both restaurants were phenomenal, and the people? Incredibly welcoming and kind.
Organized Chaos
After the street party wrapped up around 9:30 p.m, the real hustle began. The Birch Point Marina team sprang into action to get all the boats in the water and ready for Saturday’s big run. Jeff and Matt were hands-on, literally jumping into trucks and boats to get the job done. It was nothing short of organized chaos, fittingly similar to the name of one of the boats there, Total Chaos, owned by powerboating legend Matt Dean.
Watching it all unfold was honestly impressive. It showed just how capable, dedicated, and efficient the Birch Point Marina crew really is.
Saturday: The Main Event
Saturday started early with a drivers' meeting at Jeff’s house before we headed for the locks. There, we were greeted by hundreds of cheering spectators capturing the moment on their phones. It took three locks to get all 42 registered boats through, but the excitement in the air made every minute worth it.
Our first major stop was The Great Outdoors Landing, a perfect lakeside venue with great food and bonus, delicious Kawartha dairy ice cream. From there, we made our way to Kevin Primmer’s house, where he and his family graciously hosted the fleet. You couldn’t miss his beautiful MTI 42V docked out front. What a sight!
Wrapping Up in Style
We wrapped up the day back at Birch Point Marina with dinner, a charity auction, and an awards ceremony. The food was excellent, and the energy stayed high into the night with a lively charity auction and blackjack game.
Let it ride!!!
A personal highlight? Watching Ben Anthony shout “Let it ride!” while placing a $1,000 bet, only to lose it all. Without missing a beat, he smiled and said, “It’s OK, it’s for charity.” Classic.
The Best Part: The People
More than the boats, the food, or the parties, the best part of the weekend was reconnecting with our boating friends, people we may only see a couple of times a year, but who feel like family. We laughed, shared stories, and, of course, raised a few glasses together.
A Huge Thank You
To the entire staff at Birch Point Marina, Performance Boat Club Canada, its members, and everyone who showed up: thank you for making this one of the most memorable weekends of the summer.
And for those of you who missed it. You won’t want to skip it next year.