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Plans underway for Sikeston Legion’s poker run and cookoff this fall
SIKESTON — In less than 10 years, the Sikeston American Legion Post 114 and Auxiliary have raised over $125,000 for the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield through its annual poker run and cookoff fundraiser. The Legion is looking to add its donation total this fall.
After having to cancel its 2020 event due to the pandemic, plans are now underway for the Eighth Annual Poker Run and Cookoff, which will be Oct. 15-16 at the American Legion in Sikeston.
Typically held over the Memorial Day weekend, organizers opted to move the event to the fall this year.
“We were still going to have the event in May, but then we decided to push it back further because of COVID and for safety,” said Vickie Wilson, co-organizer of the event and Auxiliary member.
In seven years, the Legion has raised $127,155 and helped fund the following projects at the Bloomfield cemetery: enclosed committal facility with glass windows and doors; installed heating and air conditioning in committal facility; sound system for committal facility; portable gas engine, heated power washer; carillon tower repair; equipment repairs, professional custom application of broadleaf, weed control and fertilizer; and red, white and blue lighting for the pond fountain.
“The first year we did the event, we funded the bell and tower system, and our goal was to raise $6,000,” Wilson recalled. “We got right at $10,000, and it’s just grown every year.”
The Sikeston American Legion has become the largest contributor to the cemetery, according to Tammy Smith, cemetery director.
“The money they have raised for us, and what we’ve been able to do with the money is just a huge help,” Smith said. “It improves the cemetery for the families. We want to do it for the veterans, too, but the families are the ones who are left behind and visiting the graves, and, sometimes, it’s the veteran’s spouse who’s buried there so it’s the veteran who is coming to visit.”
It’s a good legacy to have, Smith said.
Wilson said when the Legion first began hosting the event, many people didn’t understand the cemetery in Bloomfield was not a federally-funded cemetery.
“It’s a state-funded cemetery, so all expenses are not paid by the state,” Wilson said.
Smith said the cemetery has a fixed budget.
“The budget doesn’t change so when things come up that weren’t planned for, we have to look for at other places,” Smith said, noting the Assistance League handles the money for the cemetery.
For example, when a storm hit blew a fence down, a new fence wasn’t in the budget.
“Many people like that their donations stay local, and they can see what the funds are being used for,” Smith said.
The first burial at the Bloomfield cemetery was Sept. 29, 2003, and today there are 4,000 graves at the cemetery, according to Smith.
“It’s a beautiful cemetery,” Wilson said.
Funds from the poker run and cookoff are typically used on beautification projects and emergencies, Smith said.
“We had a group come out and plant a butterfly garden for us, and I’d like to have a stone wall built along the side of it, and I think that would enhance that area,” Smith said of a possible use for future funds.
Organizers are still looking for sponsorships for this year’s poker run and cookoff, Wilson said. She also encourages others to participate in the activities planned.
The two-day event begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 with registration for the bean bag toss tournament until 6:30 p.m. The tournament will be played inside the Legion building beginning at 7 p.m. First, second and third place winners will be awarded. Entry is $40 per team.
The anything-goes wing war competition will also take place Friday with a 90% payback, and wings will be provided for contestants.
The event continues the morning of Saturday, Oct. 16 with registration for the poker run from 8 a.m. to 9:30a.m., which is when there will be a blessing of the bikes before heading out at 10 a.m. Bikes will return at 3 p.m. Entry is $20 per bike and $5 per passenger. Cards will be drawn at each stop. Best hand wins $100, worst hand, $50 and bike traveling the farthest, $50.
“We’ve had motorcycles come as far as 100 miles away to ride in the poker run, and we’ve had cook teams from as far as Arkansas, and we’re hoping to get some from Kentucky and Tennessee this year,” Wilson said.
While the poker run is going on, teams will be competing in the cook-off competition where they will be judged on pork butts, ribs, half chickens and ribeye steaks. The Legion will provide all meat and charcoal fo the competition. The overall grand champion will receive $1,500, and additional cash prizes will be awarded. Teams can also enter a mystery meat competition. Entry fee is $200 per team, and the deadline to enter is Oct. 12.
In addition, there will be a silent auction, drawings and food will be served starting at 11 a.m. for $10 per plate. Carryouts will be available.
Smith will also be present at the event on Oct. 16 for anyone who wants to be signed up for burial at the cemetery. Those interested should just bring a copy of their marriage license, if they’re married, and a copy of their DD214 form.
“Tammy can sign them up that day,” Wilson said. “Then they don’t have to drive to the cemetery to do it.”
The Legion also has a bowling tournament that serves as a kickoff to the poker run and cookoff, and it is slated for Sept. 11.
“Just come out and help support the veterans and the cemetery,” Wilson said. “It’s one of the worthiest causes that you could ever, ever contribute to, in my opinion. The veterans did so much for us and it’s also for the families they leave behind.
She continued: “To me, it would be nice knowing that my loved one is going to being buried in such a place that is maintained, taken care of and loved by everybody that works there.”
Smith agreed.
“It’s not just a cemetery for us because we’re all in some way tied to the cemetery. With me, my dad is buried there, and I have three uncles buried there. And those who work with me have friends and relatives buried there. It’s like a family and becomes a family to you. When you meet the families, we get to know them and visit with them. They become part of your family even though you see them a couple times a year.”
For Wilson, veterans have always been near and dear to her heart, she said.
“To me,” Wilson said, “what they did in life, nothing is too good for them.”
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For information or to enter: the poker run, call Frankie Adams at 573-380-6231; the cook off and wing war, call Jimmy Cantrell at 573-703-5570; and the bean bag toss tournament, call 573-703-3651. Donations may be mailed to: American Legion Post 114, PO Box 1154; Sikeston, MO 63801.