WAITSBURG – Last year's Waitsburg Celebration Days ATV Poker Run garnered a great deal of local interest and enthusiasm but had to be revamped to an in-town scavenger hunt at the last minute due to an inability to meet Walla Walla County ordinance requirements in a timely manner. This year organizers started the permit process in plenty of time and prospects are looking good.

During their regular meeting on Feb. 23, the Walla Walla County Commissioners approved a new ordinance that will allow the race to use county roads. The ordinance will require special signage and temporary reduced speed limits on the event course. The ordinance also requires event organizers to provide special insurance.

Last year, organizers focused on what they assumed would be their biggest challenge – obtaining insurance for the 35-mile Jasper Mountain ATV run. Once the insurance was in hand, they moved on to procure the necessary permits from Walla Walla and Columbia Counties.

Because Columbia County has a smaller population, the requirements for amending road use ordinances are less stringent and they readily agreed to allow the run. However, Walla Walla County is required to hold a public hearing before making such amendments, and the commissioners didn't receive the amendment request in time to hold the required hearing before the race. Run organizers quickly reconfigured the race to an in-town ATV scavenger hunt that was well attended.

At the recent February 23 public hearing commissioners approved an ordinance that will allow the County Engineer to temporarily lower the speed limit of county roads used for the race to 35 miles per hour - the maximum speed limit for an all-terrain vehicle - during the Celebration Days ATV Run.

No one attending the public hearing expressed any objections to the amendment, but Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jesse Nolte did request that the amount of required insurance remain open. Nolte said that the commissioners should establish the insurance amount for each event based on the length and number of expected participants.

Waitsburg Mayor Walt Gobel is hopeful that the ATV Run will become a signature Celebration Days event and a draw for visitors. Run organizer Karen Mohney said she has already been contacted by ATV groups asking how they can register. She also said they may offer overnight camping at the fairgrounds to accommodate visitors.

The Dead Man's Hand Poker Run is a family-friendly event, but only those over 18 will be able to participate in the "poker" part of the run. Participants will depart from the fairgrounds at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

Riders will make a loop through Wilson Hollow, Whiskey Creek, Payne Hollow and down the North Coppei before returning to the Waitsburg Fairgrounds. "Poker" players will collect six cards at stops along the route, with the opportunity to earn a seventh card by riding through the mud pit at the fairgrounds. Top hands will win prizes, with a bounty awarded to anyone holding a Dead Man's Hand; aces over 8's, all black.

Mohney said that during the race, an ATV rodeo-style obstacle course will take place at the fairgrounds. Plans for kids' games, food vendors and a beer garden are also in the works. Volunteers to help along the course and at the fairgrounds are greatly needed. Anyone who would like to volunteer or offer suggestions on the event is welcome to attend an upcoming open planning meeting at 6 p.m. on March 11 at Laht Neppur Brewery in Waitsburg.