The Country’s Best Performance Boats “Storm” Lake Havasu

Race boat at Desert Storm.

There’s a storm a-brewin’ in Lake Havasu this April and you’re invited. But it’s not the kind that requires Gore-Tex parkas and waterproof boots. This Desert Storm features the best performance boats across the nation, combined with five days of spectator-friendly special events.

This year, Desert Storm, named “One of the Top Five Poker Runs in the Nation” by Performance Boats magazine, is chock full of activities for spectators.

“Desert Storm 2016 is again bringing great teams with their newest boats and tow vehicles to show and play on our lake,” said Jim Nichols of Phoenix, a Desert Storm organizer. “We have added the CARQUEST Havasu 100 Car Show and Big O Burn-out Contest, the Romer Beverage Outlaw Grand National Boat Race with three heats, the Tavern 95 Motorcycle Freestyle Jump and IJSBA PWC Freestyle exhibition multiple times each day. Plus a live music stage with acts provided by KJJJ Radio Station and Flying X Saloon.”

Check out the daily schedule below:

• Tuesday kicks off with a meet and greet luncheon at Pirate Cove Resort in Park Moab.
• Wednesday is the third annual “Krusin’ for Kids” – underprivileged and special needs children and adults will be coming from throughout Arizona to have their dreams come true one “kruse” at a time, thanks to volunteer captains who will take guests out on the lake.
• Thursday will continue the excitement with the downtown Street Party, opening this year at noon. Participants and sponsors will display boats on McCulloch Boulevard which will be closed off for the event.
• Friday morning at the Nautical Resort, the Poker Run takes off with registration, drivers meeting and then a parade through the London Bridge Channel beginning the run. With five card stations open from 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and a helicopter photo station from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., you’ll witness lots of fun boating action. One great vantage point will be Rotary Park which will feature a variety of boats on display starting at 10 a.m.
• Friday afternoon will be the Power in the Park concert and beach party which is open to the public. “It’s grown immensely over prior years,” Nichols tells us. The Poker Card Turn-in starts at 6 p.m. complete with food vendors, hosted Budweiser, sponsor tents, and wild card prizes.
• Saturday morning, the Shootout course begins near the Site Six Launch Ramp and runs two miles south on the California side. Set to run through early afternoon, spectators will learn who has the fastest boats in the west.
• Saturday’s Power in the Park opens at 10 a.m. and will be where results of the Shootout are announced. The awards show kicks off at 8 p.m. with honors going to best in show, the top speeds in each shootout class, and crowning of the new King and Queen of the Desert. The night concludes with awards going to the winners of the Poker Run.

This was just the tip of the iceberg. For more details and a complete schedule, visit the event calendar at GoLakeHavasu.com.

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