Fall Harbor Hop Attracts Late Season Boaters to Lake of the Ozarks

First posted on 09-26-2008

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. –Boaters and visitors will have one more opportunity to cruise the Lake of the Ozarks and provide a late-season economic boost to Lake-area businesses at the 23rd annual Fall Harbor Hop, Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

At least 2,500 participants are expected for this popular event, says Lisa Coughlan, director of marketing for the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau. “We always look forward to greeting new and returning ‘hoppers,’ including those who come decked out in their unique Halloween costumes every year.”

The Harbor Hop is a poker run in which participants pick up playing cards in order to build a winning poker hand and become eligible to win prizes. There’s no official entry fee, but most players will contribute an optional $15 donation per seven-card hand. “Hoppers” will start their run and draw their first card at any of nearly 40 sponsoring restaurants, bars and marinas along the Lake’s main channel and the Big Niangua and Gravois arms. Six additional cards will be drawn as boaters “hop” to more checkpoints. At the seventh and final stop, players will draw their seventh and final card and may turn in their hand(s). Or, new this year, they will have the opportunity to pay an additional $5 per hand and draw an eighth Bonus Card to increase the chances of creating a winning poker hand. There’s no limit to the number of hands an individual may play.

The 10 winners who draw the best poker hands will be notified by mail after the event. Prizes also will be awarded for the four worst hands and for 10 randomly drawn hands. In addition, winners will be determined in each of four Lake sections (Gravois Arm, Main Channel 10 mm, Main Channel 13-24 mm and Main Channel 28.5-47 mm plus Big Niangua Arm); section winners must draw all of their cards from checkpoints in that section. Donation totals will determine prize amounts. Prizes will be awarded in the form of gift certificates, with the first-place winner receiving up to $700.

The Fall Harbor Hop traditionally is held the second weekend of October. The Lake of the Ozarks CVB sponsors the Fall Harbor Hop as well as the Spring Harbor Hop held the first weekend in May to kick off the boating season. Other sponsors include the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association and Waterfront Restaurants.

“We are elated to present the Fall Harbor Hop as a major attraction for tourists along with all of our other fall festivals and activities that draw visitors to the Lake area at this time of the year,” says Tim Jacobsen, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau. “Autumn visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks always enjoy the the spectacular show Mother Nature puts on for us.”

For more information about the Harbor Hop and other events, attractions, shopping, lodging and dining at Central Missouri’s scenic Lake of the Ozarks, visit http://www.funlake.com (386-5253) or call 1-800-FUN-LAKE.