FAPSEF hosts this event to raise funds for the school district’s teachers and students in the fields of arts, academics and athletics.

 If this sounds like a worthwhile evening of entertainment, you will want to register to play in the 2014 Colonel Fenton’s Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournament. The event takes place Thursday, April 24 at the Fenton Hotel. It will have the same format as last year.

 The expected 100 participants’ entry fee is $100, which includes one spectator admission. Spectators without a player will pay $10 cover charge, which includes food and appetizers. A cash bar is available.

 Doors open at 5 p.m. for registration and dining. The first round starts at 6:30 p.m.

 The grand prize is $1,000, dinner for four at the Fenton Hotel and a “World Series of Poker” themed bracelet donated by Medawar Jewelers. Organizer Jeff Irvin said two years ago, Medawar owner Ronny Medawar attended the event as a spectator and wanted to offer a bracelet as a prize for the winner similar to the poker events on TV.

 This poker tournament is run by a group of at more than 20 volunteers either associated with the school district or members of FAPSEF. Irvin said everyone at the Foundation is grateful for Nick Sorise and his staff at the Fenton Hotel for putting on the event every year.

 Planning of this year’s event was more complicated because charity events such as this are now overseen by the Michigan Gaming Board, the same government unit responsible for the casinos in Michigan. Licenses were approved and organizers are finalizing preparations for another big event.

 Tickets are available at the Fenton schools’ administrative office, the Fenton Hotel or from any FAPSEF board member. For more information, go to www.fapsef.org.

Story behind the poker tourney

 The event will be stylized after the original poker game held in 1875, when legend has it that William Fenton won the poker game, supposedly seven-card stud, and the town was given his name. Robert LeRoy lost, and had the main street named after him.