The Krewe of Fat Mama’s is asking Miss-Lou residents to get their motors running and head out on the highway.

Krewe members are hosting the fourth annual Natchez Poker Run Sept. 13 to benefit Adams County Search and Rescue, a group of volunteers who work under the direction of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and county emergency officials.

The poker run began as a way to help an organization in need, Fat Mama’s owner David Gammill said.

“If anyone needs them, it’s generally not a good circumstance, but we want them to have everything they need to serve the community,” Gammill said. “We saw an article when we were first talking about doing the run about them needing a new motor for their boat, so I contacted them and asked if they would let us help fundraise for them.”

The motor the group had on the boat died during the flooding of 2011.

The group used a loner for several months, but were finally able to buy a new motor thanks to donations from local individuals and small businesses, including money raised from the poker run, Search and Rescue Volunteer Charles Feltus said.

“Since we’re not funded by any government entity, the poker run has been a major boost for our funding and has really helped us a lot,” Feltus said. “The money we got from the first poker run was what put us over the top to be able to buy that brand new motor, and that was something we really needed.”

The idea behind the poker run, Gammill said, is for riders to travel to five locations in the Miss-Lou and collect a playing card at each one.

The participants return to where they started hours later and see who has the best five-card poker hand.

“Really, it’s just a time to get motor enthusiasts together to ride, visit and talk shop all while helping raise money for this community organization,” Gammill said. “It’s just all about having a good time and helping the search and rescue group.”

This year, riders will begin the day registering at 9 a.m. at Fat Mama’s Tamales.

Riders will leave the Canal Street restaurant at 10:30 a.m. and head to John’s Place on U.S. 61 North looping through the Kingston area.

“We always want to try and stay away from the major roads, so we’ll be taking some back roads for a lot of the ride to make sure everybody gets to the locations safely,” Gammill said. “It should be a good ride.”

The other stops include the Natchez Grand Hotel — where lunch will be served — Roux 61 and Under-the-Hill Saloon.

Riders will then return to Fat Mama’s to show their hand and have a chance to win $300.

First, second and third place awards are given for the poker hands. Other awards, such as biggest participating group or most patriotic bike, will also be given.

Gammill said the krewe decided to extend the race this year to include classic cars as well as bikes, trikes or other street-legal vehicles.

“At the end of the day, this is for motor enthusiasts, so if someone has a hot rod or cool car they want to participate, we’re more than happy to have them,” Gammill said. “I’m not a motorcycle guy — I’m scared to death of those things — so we want to be as accommodating as possible.”

Entry fees are $25 per bike, $15 for an additional rider and $15 for an additional poker hand.

Hamburger and jambalaya plates will be available at The Natchez Grand for $5.

T-shirts will also be available for $15.

“There’s never a shortage of groups or organizations needing money to operate, so we’re just trying to spread it around as much as possible,” Gammill said.

“Search and rescue provides a great service to this community, so we’re happy to have a fundraiser for them.”

Feltus said the money raised at fundraisers such as the poker run helps the search and rescue group tremendously.

“Fundraising is pretty tough anywhere you are, so this group has really been great and helped us out through a lot,” Feltus said.

“They’ve been able to help us out so much.”

For more information, visit natchezpokerrun.com or call 601-807-8030.