- May 21, 2025
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Tebow waits to greet bikers coming to register for the event at the Sarasota Humane Society.
Lovey greets Sarasota HOG volunteer Pete DeFant.
Volunteers Heather Baylor and Matt Yore
Huskie mix Rickie waits excitedly to greet bikers.
Sarasota HOG volunteers Dave Butler and Allen Sachs with Maggie and Bill Pryor
Lloyd and Heidi Karg with Rich Butler
Deedee and Blair Sullivan with Kim McFarlane
Dawn Ryan greets Red, one of the dogs up for adoption at the Sarasota Humane Society.
Petra Marquardt says hello to Lovey.
Doe, one of the many dogs at the Sarasota Humane Society that greeted the bikers.
Bikers begin to head out for the poker run.
Event founder Donna DeFant meets Lovey.
The Sarasota Harley Owner's Group held their annual St. Patty's Day Poker Run March 11 to benefit the Sarasota Humane Society. Held on the weekend before St. Patrick's Day, the event was started by Donna DeFant and is now in its 19th year.
“Even though this event started with Sarasota Harley Owners Group, we opened it up to all the bike clubs,” DeFant said. “You can have a Honda, Yamaha or even a scooter.”
A few of the biker groups that participated this year were the Blue Knights, Women in the Wind and She Shore Rides.
Bikers registered at the Sarasota Humane Society and visited with the dogs and cats up for adoption before grabbing a poker hand and riding out to three of the area's Irish pubs: O'Leary's Tiki Bar and Grill in Sarasota, Duffy’s Tavern in Holmes Beach and Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub and Tiki Hut in Bradenton.
“Bikers just like to go out and have fun and do good at the same time,” DeFant said.
