By Mary O’KEEFE

The Early Rodders Car Club held its second annual Poker Run on Saturday morning, its members celebrating not only their love of classic vehicles and love of poker but also the 20th anniversary of Bob Smith Toyota.

The Early Rodders is a group of classic vehicle enthusiasts that meets every Saturday morning at the UA Theater in La Cañada to drink coffee and talk cars. Anyone who has attended the Montrose Christmas Parade has more than likely seen the Early Rodders classic cars as they drive down the parade route.

On Saturday, the emphasis was not car talk but poker hands. Crescenta Valley High School Prom Plus Club members were stationed at businesses throughout Crescenta Valley and La Cañada. Forty-three vehicles participated in the run. As each vehicle pulled up to a business, the kids would deal them a card and the drivers would move to the next business. They ended at Bob Smith Toyota on Foothill Boulevard to complete their poker hand.

There were seven winners but the big winner of the day was Todd Thornbury who won $150 in a cash prize.

There were 43 people who participated in playing poker but over 60 vehicles showed up for the event. Cordon’s Smoke House provided breakfast.

The event was also a way of celebrating Bob Smith Toyota. Poker run organizer Dwight Sityar presented Mike Smith with certificates from Assemblymember Mike Gatto and the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce for the company’s 20 years of service to Crescenta Valley.

The event was a success and another Poker Run is planned for next year, Sityar said.