LLEWELLYN - Engines were roaring and the dust was flying at the Good Intent Hose Company No. 1 as more than 1,000 all-terrain vehicles gathered for the second annual ATV Poker Run.
"This is probably the most people that have ever been in Llewellyn at one time," said a Good Intent representative.
Members of the Good Intent Hose Company, 12 Silverton Road, insisted on not giving their names. They said everyone at the company has worked hard and they can't name everyone, so they didn't want any one member singled out.
Representatives said they could tell early Saturday morning that it was going to exceed last year's total of 480 riders. About 11 a.m., there were about 700 people registered for the event with a long line still in front of the company building.
The trail also expanded a few miles from last year. There were a total of five stops along the 32-mile course on Sharp Mountain, with the last one being the return to the fire house. At each stop, the player pulled a card out of a deck and tried to make the best poker hand. Riders left for the trail in groups of 50.
There were a lot of locals, company representatives said, but most of the people came from out of the state, including a group of 52 people from West Virginia.
Fire company members said it took about three months to prepare the trail and three weeks to prepare all the food for the weekend.
A lot of people were camping this year, as well, starting Thursday evening. By Saturday, there were 46 campers at the fire company.
The hose company hosted a bonfire Friday night and a spaghetti dinner earlier that day and breakfast Saturday morning. Representatives said they sold out of food both nights. There were also raffles and food being sold throughout the evening.
Funds raised during the weekend events will go towards payment for the trucks, the new garage built in 2010 and other equipment, representatives said.
The event also provided a boost to the local economy, like hotels, bars, restaurants, gas stations and other stores.
The fire company also thanked the land owners for allowing them to use the trail, and Reilly and Branch township supervisors and the local residents for their cooperation.
Elizabeth Greis, Pottsville, and Gabby Tobin, Minersville, were two locals participating in the poker run Saturday.
"I just like to ride and it's for a really good cause," Tobin said.
This was their first year participating in a poker run, but a lot of their friends and family did it last year.
"I just like being outside and in the woods," Greis said. "I like getting dirty, that's part of the fun."
Also at the event as an equipment vendor was Matt Ziegler, of S.A. Ziegler Performance, Boyertown.
He said the sport is getting bigger and more shows and events have been popping up throughout the state.
"It gets everyone together," Ziegler said. "You meet new people that are into the same thing as you and it's all for a good cause. It's also a good family event."
