Good Times on the Water: Celebrating Community Through the Chain of Lakes Poker Run

Each summer, the Chain of Lakes Poker Run turns the Coldwater–Marble Chain of Lakes in Branch County, Michigan, into a floating festival of pontoons, deck boats, and lake lovers. What began as a local fundraiser has grown into a signature community event—and with Vibe Quincy stepping up as a Royal Flush Sponsor, the 2025 edition is set to blend laid-back lake culture with support from one of the area’s most visible cannabis retailers.

The setting alone explains part of the appeal. The Coldwater/Marble Chain stretches roughly 14 miles through multiple interconnected lakes, offering broad flats, deep basins, and busy sandbars that attract anglers, cruisers, and families all season long. Michigan tourism and fishing resources describe the chain as one of southwest Michigan’s most popular lake systems, with public launches and rental pontoons making it accessible to visitors as well as cottage owners.

Against this backdrop, the Chain of Lakes Poker Run offers “a fun-filled day on the Coldwater chain of lakes” while raising money for local charities. Boaters motor from stop to stop on the chain, collecting playing cards, aiming for the best poker hand by the end of the route. According to the Marble Chain of Lakes Improvement Association’s 2025 newsletter, this year’s event marks the 10th annual poker run and will be held on Sunday, July 20, with a luau theme promising “island vibes and good times” on the water.

Behind the party atmosphere sits serious charitable impact. A recap of the 2024 event notes that organizers donated $12,500 each to the Coldwater Lake Association and the Marble Chain of Lakes Improvement Association, plus $1,500 to the Bartholomew Lake Association. Those funds help underwrite everything from water-quality projects to fireworks and shoreline initiatives that keep the chain healthy and welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

Vibe Quincy’s sponsorship plugs directly into that mission. A Facebook announcement from the Poker Run team thanks “Vibe Quincy—our 2025 Royal Flush Sponsor,” describing the business as a go-to recreational cannabis provisioning center in Quincy, Michigan. Located at 133 W. Chicago Street, Vibe Quincy offers a menu of flower, edibles, vape carts, and concentrates, along with rotating deals that the company highlights on its website and social channels.

For the event, that kind of backing means more resources for logistics, safety support, prizes, and the charitable checks that follow. Vibe’s broader branding emphasizes community engagement and education around regulated cannabis, positioning the shop as a local hub rather than just a transactional storefront. Aligning with a family-friendly lake fundraiser lets the dispensary support the same waterways its customers boat, fish, and vacation on, while reinforcing that legal cannabis can coexist with mainstream community life when handled responsibly.

Safety remains a core theme for organizers. The Marble Chain of Lakes Improvement Association not only promotes the poker run but also collaborates with county marine patrols on boater safety classes, free vessel inspections, and new lighted buoys to improve navigation at night and during busy holiday weekends. That emphasis dovetails with the need for participants to follow Michigan boating and impaired-operation laws.

As the 10th annual Chain of Lakes Poker Run approaches, the combination of a luau-themed flotilla, proven fundraising power, and fresh sponsorship from Vibe Quincy underlines how tightly knit this lake community has become. With local associations, marine patrols, small businesses, and lake residents all pulling together, the event is poised to deliver another year of big smiles, big donations, and a full day of “good vibes” on one of Michigan’s most beloved chains of lakes.