Float your boats with days of activities during Boat Week 08

The Emerald Coast Foundation continues its 6th Annual "Boat Week, a celebration of boating and life on the Emerald Coast through Aug. 16.

Community events began Thursday with a Texas hold ‘em tournament. Additional activities continue throughout the week, culminating with the 16th Annual Emerald Coast Poker Run on Aug. 16.

The rest of the week's schedule of events open to the public follows:

†•Sunday, a Boat-In Movie will be shown at Shalimar Yacht Basin beginning at 8 p.m.

•Monday, 6:30 p.m. Ski Show at Scully's on the Bayou in Fort Walton Beach. Show takes place in Cinco Bayou.

•Wednesday, Boat Week Ladies Night at Helen Back on Okaloosa Island starting at 8 p.m.

•Thursday, 6th annual Miss Boat Week bikini contest at Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill in Destin at 8 p.m. To give the contest a new twist this year, Fudpucker's will have a drawing for judge seats at the bikini contest.

"Every year people beg me to be a judge, so we thought this would be a great way to raise more money for the charity," says David Smith, Fudpucker's marketing director.

A $100 donation to the Emerald Coast Foundation will get your name in the drawing to be a judge.

The title of Miss Boat Week 2008 will be awarded to one woman who then will represent the Foundation at several community and charitable events throughout the year. Miss Boat Week will win prizes including $1,000 in cash.

Other prizes include cash for second and third place, tiaras, roses, and prize packages from Avant Garde Salon and Spa, Showbiz Tan, Body X-Change, Fudpucker's, Woody's Local Safe Sex Bar, and Wyndham Resorts.

Call Deede Wayne for information about becoming a judge or a contestant at 654-1544 ext. 34 or e-mail deede@fudpucker.com.

•Aug. 15, Skippers safety meetings at 10 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. at Ramada Plaza Beach Resort on Okaloosa Island. Captain's Reception at 5 p.m. at The Swamp on Okaloosa Island.

•Aug. 16, 16th annual Emerald Coast Poker Run starts at 10 a.m. All stops close at 5 p.m. Poker Run Party takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island.

Registration for the poker run is going on now. For more information on the events listed or to register for the poker run, visit the event Web site at emeraldcoastpokerrun.com.

The Emerald Coast Foundation is a 5019(c)3 not-for-profit organization benefitting local youth. Since the inception of the Emerald Coast Poker Run in 1993, more than $1,116,171 has been invested in programs benefitting youth across the Emerald Coast.

For more information about the Emerald Coast Foundation, visit the Web site at emeraldcoastfoundation.com or call 243-3800.