Outdoor enthusiasts will be riding for a good cause during the holiday weekend as the Harlan Honor Guard will host its annual poker run.

The Harlan County Ridge Runners will once again be assisting the honor guard with guided rides throughout the event, and Ridge Runners President Bill Troutman said the club is pleased to have the opportunity to help a local organization.

“We, as the Ridge Runners, try to give back to the community and make things better,” he said.

Troutman added that the honor guard serves an important role in the community.

“What better way to help someone out than what they do with putting our veterans to rest,” he said.

Participants in the poker run will draw a card at the beginning of the event, draw three cards at designated sites on the park and draw another card at the end of the event. A cash prize will be awarded to the rider with the best hand.

Troutman said approximately 50 riders attended the event last year.

The poker run and cookout ride benefiting the Harlan Honor Guard is scheduled for Saturday. Registration for the event will begin at 9 a.m., with rides leaving from the North Evarts RV site at 10 a.m. There will be a bean dinner, and a drawing for gifts after the ride. There is a fee of $10 per hand as well as a donation for the meal. Free guided rides will also be available on Friday, leaving from the North Evarts RV site.

For additional information about the Harlan County Ridge Runners or future events, visit the club's Web site at www.ridgerunnernation.com.

Troutman said anyone wanting to participate in the poker run is “more than welcome to attend.”

The Harlan Honor Guard is a local organization that routinely performs at veterans’ funerals throughout the region. Honor guard commander Fred Hall said the group performed at 57 funerals in 2007. Hall said the Harlan Honor Guard performed at services in six Kentucky counties, along with Virginia and Tennessee.

For additional information about the Harlan Honor Guard, visit its Web site at www.harlan honorguard.com.

In addition to the Ridge Runners’ annual poker run, the city of Evarts will once again host its annual Fourth of July fireworks display at Evarts Elementary School.