Come join the Tampa Bay Wing of the Commemorative Air Force for its annual Poker Run fundraiser! It's a great excuse to fly your airplane, have fun, possibly win some great prizes, and support the wing. Your participation helps keep its warbirds in the air.

HOW IT WORKS
Each aircraft departs KLAL and flies one of two defined courses passing over 4 waypoints, then returns to KLAL for the 5th waypoint. Each route is approximately 100 NM and is issued to the PIC before departure during the safety briefing. Flights are verified using ADS-B data or breadcrumb tracking on a flight app. For each waypoint overflown, players select one card from the deck (maximum 5 cards) — that's your poker hand.

Arrive at KLAL, receive your route, and fly it any time between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Plan to be back at KLAL by 11:30 AM at the latest. At 12:00 noon participants gather to reveal their hands and determine the winners. Food, drinks and merchandise will be for sale after your flight while prizes are awarded. Ties are broken by a high-card draw; winners choose their prize starting with the best hand.

PRIZES INCLUDE
• Garmin D2 Air X15 Aviator Smartwatch — courtesy of Stein Air
• Custom aircraft paint scheme design service — courtesy of Evoke Aircraft Design
• $100 gift certificate — Gulf Coast Avionics
• $400 credit toward an aircraft cover — Bruce's Custom Covers
• $100 gift certificate — Aircraft Spruce & Specialty
• Aircraft detail and cleaning — Flightline Detailing Co
• Set of Massive spark plugs — Tempest Spark Plugs
• Biennial Flight Review and a Discovery Flight — Mainstreet Flight Academy
• Airplane ride in the wing's PT-19 open-cockpit WWII trainer
• Co-pilot seat ride in "Ike's Bird," President Eisenhower's former Air Force One
• Happy Hangar Cafe gift certificates and a Stearman ride at Tampa North (X39)
...and more to come.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE
Both of the wing's warbirds are expected on display along with other aircraft. The event coincides with the wing's regular monthly meeting, so you'll have the chance to meet a lot of its staff and members and learn about joining the CAF.

REGISTRATION (required)
Because of limited ramp space, registration is limited to 50 aircraft. The registration fee is $50 for each person in your group who wants to play a hand — multiple players per airplane are welcome and encouraged. A complete event details PDF is sent to your registration email before the event. Register here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-tampa-bay-wing-poker-run

When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Where: KLAL Warbird Ramp, Lakeland Linder International Airport, 4175 Medulla Rd, Lakeland, FL 33811

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Skyfarer is not affiliated with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Tampa Bay Wing. This event is listed for informational purposes from the wing's public events calendar. Verify details before attending on the official event page:
https://caftampabaywing.org/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=186079&item_id=3056664