From $1200 and a laptop to $15,000 to our veterans. Check out our past year donations! our ORIGIN story Ahhhh....The Fern 45! Where do I start? It started out just wanting to have a poker run in the desert with friends and family so I could share some cool trails and views with them. Shortly after...it was planned! It just happened to be Veteran's day 2015! Figured we would charge our buddies 25 bucks, winner takes all with a party afterwards, sounded great! THEN IT CLICKED! "It's Veteran's day, why don't we donate to them?" After a couple calls to Mr. Brett Palmer of the Nevada Veteran's Coalition, it was known that they could use a new laptop, we were on it! We will get you two! (Me being confident our friends could raise enough money to handle it) Thinking if we had 30 people show up it would be super fun and a party for the books. Boy, oh, boy... I was mistaken! Somewhere around 135 people showed up, including the coalition themselves! We ended up getting them that laptop and 1200 bucks! The support from friends, family, and the community of Fernley was so awesome. I, personally, will never forget the parade of rigs marching up the dirt road to participate. The sense of pride, overwhelming, to the point i almost cried. (Okay, not gonna lie, I shed a few tears) The team of my immediate family and a few friends has turned into a committed organization that's willing to donate their time, money, and huge efforts each year to keep the drive alive. I like to call it "fun"draising! This will be our 6th year raising money for veteran's and their programs. On behalf of each crew member that has ever volunteered, no matter amount of time or energy; to all the sponsors, no matter amount donated; and especially to the 95 Motorsports Complex for providing the area to stage all you "off-road crazy-heads" ! We have donated somewhere around $50,000 now!! I never thought this would be an annual event, but here we are. Lets do this, have fun, be safe always... THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! -Kelly Walsh (President/Founder of the Fern 45) P.S. Catch me at the campfire and I'll fill ya in on the rest!

Go Back to Honor Wall Charles B Darling Retired Navy Veteran of Desert Storm. Still serves his country and community through various organizations committed to our military heroes. Previous Next

Go Back to Honor Wall Christopher Shelton Chris was my best friend in high school. He was born June 6th 1982 and passed away on November 15th 2002. Chris passed away as a L CPL of the United States Marine Corp. Previous Next

This is the page that holds all the information you could ever dream of knowing about The Fern 45. ALL THE INFO YOU NEED TO KNOW ...seriously theres a lot of info down here. ENTRY TO VENUE IS FREE Purchase required for events like Poker Run, Vendor Run, Texas Hold Em, Cornhole, etc. DAY-OF REGISTRATION CLOSES 10a 11/7 Register anytime the registration/check-in trailer is open 11/5-11/7 POKER RUN TICKET BREAKDOWN If you plan on going on the Poker Run on Saturday - every person in the vehicle going on the course needs a wristband. The vehicle going on the course needs a course entry sticker. GA Poker Card & Wristband VIP Poker Card, Wristband, Food provided by Al Punto after run & Event Shirt (Bolognese, Spaghetti or Alfredo and pesto with Garlic Cheese bread & Caesar Salad ) THIS IS THE 2025 POKER CARD! COURSE ENTRY Course Entry Sticker - This goes on the vehicle going on the course (Windshield, bumper, window, anywhere visible to our volunteers) GROUP options Group VIP Packages for 4 people, 6 people and 8 people - Includes VIP tickets, campsites and course entry. Save some money! *There is no ticket option for someone who just wants to ride along, if you are going on the course, you need a wristband - if for some reason you don't want to play your card, give it to someone else to play. VIEW SCHEDULE OF EVENTS COURSE INFO THIS IS AN OFF-ROAD COURSE, NOT AN OPEN BAR. NV LAW STILL APPLIES NO DRINKING AND DRIVING! DRIVE WITH YOUR LIGHTS ON ... for some silly reason it gets dusty out there. RIBBON ON THE LEFT Red, White and Blue ribbon will be placed on the LEFT side of the roads/trails. Some will be on stakes and some will be on bushes. If these end up on the passengers side, yer goin' backwards. GO THIS WAY These arrows point the direction you are supposed to go. The other side of these have a big W on them. DANGER THIS WAY If you see one of these together, danger is ahead. There could be a big rock, a deep creek, a sharp turn... it's your sign to SLOW DOWN and be ready. YER GOIN' BACKWARDS Self-explanatory. Turn around immediately. MANDATORY RIDERS MEETING 8a Saturday 11/7 at the Stage Safety: This is not a closed course! The public can still be out and about (Bikers, hikers, etc.) Avoid wild horses and other wildlife - SLOW DOWN and respect them. Sweepers, Medics and Course Marshalls will be on the course if problems arise. Call 911 if an emergency occurs. Your program will have numbers to call on it if 911 is not necessary. Course Gates Open : 9a-11a - You will be turned around at the gate if you are not on the course by 11a. DO NOT RIDE ON THE COURSE PRIOR TO SATURDAY! Access: Every person in the vehicle going on the course needs a wristband, this includes kiddos! Every vehicle going on the course needs a Course Entry sticker. Length : 45 mile (ish) Single-Loop Course - no oncoming traffic areas. Terrain : Typical NV backroads with a few "steeper" downhills, creek crossings, a couple "tight" spaces and short "hill climbs". If you have 4 wheel drive - you're good! This course is not just gas line roads and overly traveled roads, our President/Founder and his course crew do their best to mix it up every year (within our permitted area of course) Vehicles : SxS, Dirtbikes, ATVs, Jeeps...We do not recommend bigger vehicles. Passing : THIS IS NOT A RACE . We try our best to get the fast guys out first so everyone can have their own kind of fun, be respectful on the course . This isn't a desert race, nobody is required to pull over so you can go faster. CARDSTOPS This is the Poker Card (from 2025) What do I do with it? Put your name on it, take it with you on the course. The Door Prize ticket on the bottom tears off and goes into the Door Prize bucket on/near the stage. There are 4 cardstops on the course, it will be very obvious when you are coming up to one. Make sure to stop and pull a number from one of the volunteers in the bright vests. What do the numbers mean? Each number corresponds to a card on a board after the poker run is over. You won't know your hand until you are done. You cannot pull the same number twice, that would be like potentially having two ace of spades in a hand and that's not allowed in poker. What if my hand isn't winning? Thanks for playing! You can toss your card in the trash OR if your hand is close to beating the current winning hand, you can purchase another number pull at the 6th cardstop for $20. MAKE SURE YOUR DOOR PRIZE TICKET ENDS UP IN THE BUCKET. CAMPING Gates open at Noon on Thursday DO NOT COME ANY EARLIER THAN THAT, please. I purchased a Campsite Online Great! You will receive your campsite pass when you come through the gate. Place this on the rearview mirror of the vehicle staying in your campsite (or your dash) I need to purchase at the event No problem, our volunteers at the registration/check-in trailer will take your money! Just make sure to put it on your vehicle asap. Are there hook-ups? Dump-Station? Water? This is a dry campsite. There are a few gas stations nearby and an RV Park with dump stations and water. I want to camp next to a specific person! Our campsites are first come, first serve. If you purchased a VIP Group Package, those sites will be next to each other. Be respectful of others. What is the Vendor Run that my campsite comes with? Check that out here! CAMP RULES - No more than three spots saved in a "U" (unless you purchased an Elite VIP group package) - (1) Full Sized vehicle per campsite - additional parking available North and East of the circle track - NO FIREWORKS, zero tolerance. - Fires MUST be in pits - "Rock circle" not permitted. Smudge pots OK. - 5mph in Camping area - be courteous of others and watch out for the kiddos - NO PIT RIDING - find somewhere in the desert to ride, if you are found doing donuts or speeding through campsites you will be asked to leave. - Pick up your trash! Leave no trace . - DOGS MUST BE LEASHED Watch out for those sasquatches! TEXAS HOLD EM Thursday Night under the Tent (11/5) Buy-In : $75 for $5000 in Chips (Re-Buy options available ) Winner - $300 Cash & a surprise! SPONSORED BY POKER PROS Sign up CORNHOLE Friday Night Under the Tent (11/6) Cost : $50 Per Team (Team consists of two people) 1st Place : $200 + 2 sets of custom Fern45 boards & bags! 2nd Place : $300 3rd Place : $200 SPONSORED BY Sign up VENDOR RUN Thursday - Friday Each of our vendors will provide something to add to a huge gift prize (or prizes) Once you visit all the vendors and get your card stamped, take your card to the designated area to be entered to win that prize! Purchase at each vendor is not necessary Winner announced Friday - Must be present to win. Prize must be claimed by the individual who wrote their name on their entry. Entries may not be claimed by family members, friends, or representatives on behalf of another person. Sign up I want to be a vendor! Texas Hold Em Cornhole Tourney Vendor Run YOGA Friday (11/6) 10a Cost : FREE! Just show up and enjoy a good stretch after a day of riding/partying with our certified yoga instructor, Cheryl! BYOM : Bring your own mat! SPONSORED BY SERGIO GUTIERREZ Live Music & Live Painting Cost : FREE! Enjoy a variety of entertainment from a USA loving, patriotic, energetic dude! Live painting - that will be auctioned off on Saturday! LIve Music while you are enjoying the company of others! Check out the schedule to see when he will be performing! Go to Event Schedule Texas Hold Em Cornhole Tourney Vendor Run SHELLY CARGILL Friday (11/6) 3-4:30p Cost : FREE! Enjoy live music and good times! A one-woman show with her serenading voice and a guitar! LINE DANCING Thursday 11/5 - 6-8p Cost : FREE! Learn how to line dance with all the coolest people you will ever meet! Alena will be up on the stage teaching you what to do and how to boot-scoot-boogie! TRENT BEAVER & THE DAMAGE Friday 11/6 - 6p-8p Cost : FREE! Known for his raspy vocals, powerful acoustic guitar, and genuine connection with the crowd, Trent has shared stages with legends like Art Alexakis of Everclear, Deana Carter, Sunny Sweeney, Zach Bryan, and Marcus King. Whether you’ve seen him solo or with his top-tier band, this is a performance you won’t soon forget. Check out their music here! and here... and here... Go to Event Schedule VALENTINE RODEO Friday (11/6) 6-7:30p Cost : FREE! Enjoy live music and good times! Music moonshine, raw, unpolished and guaranteed to hit you right in the gut. Fronted by husband and wife Trey and Kelly Valentine, this band is a double shot of swagger. Trey captivates the stage while Kelly has the pipes to back it up. Expect mashups, crowd interaction, and a setlist that mashes Rock, Southern Rock and Outlaw Country into something that feels like a good time you didn't see coming.

Go Back to Honor Wall Kevin Foulk Previous Next

Go Back to Honor Wall Walter Lewis Jr. Birth Date: 10-3-1948 Retired Navy BMCM 1965-1992 Previous Next

Go Back to Honor Wall Matthew McElfish Army Previous Next

Go Back to Honor Wall Blaine Tripp Born on February 10th, 1923. Died July 21, 2014. Served in the US Army in 1942 - 1946 and was part of the 25th infantry division, nicknamed the "Tropical Lightning Division". During WWII he was in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and Philippines, where his troop fought to open a pass called Balete Pass. He was hit by a shell at this pass where he was thrown in the air and sustained shrapnel in his leg, knee, shoulder, elbow, and neck. He received many meddles as well as the purple heart for his service. I miss my grandfather very much, he was a wonderful and kind man. Previous Next

Go Back to Honor Wall Robert (Bob) Bowles 04/29/1952 - 04/21/2022 USMC - Vietnam War We miss you every day Semper Fi Love, Bill & Denise (Daughter) Previous Next

Take look at the festivities happening this weekend! But be warned, theres a lot of information! 2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Waiting until the day our event starts? GA for the Poker Run on Saturday will be $100 (pay online until Nov 1 ) unless you are a veteran. Day- Of Poker Run sign ups end at 10a, Saturday 11/7 . All other pricing remains the same. Already paid for the Poker Run on Saturday but arriving Thursday? Make sure to come to the registration/check-in trailer to get your wristbands for Saturday. This helps us tremendously and minimizes the wait/line on Saturday at check-in. FAQ EVERYONE in the vehicle MUST have a wristband ALL VEHICLES MUST HAVE "COURSE ENTRY" PURCHASED If your vehicle does not have a course entry sticker (received at check-in) you will not be permitted on the course DAY-OF REGISTRATION CLOSES 10a 11/7 Register anytime the registration/check-in trailer is open 11/5-11/7 Thursday - 11/5 12p Camping/Registration Trailer & Check-In - DO NOT Arrive earlier than noon to set up your campsite - spaces are First Come First Serve, No more than three spots saved in a "U" (unless you purchased a VIP Group Package) . - If you did not purchase a group package, it is up to you to communicate with your group on arrival time to try and get spaces next to each other. 12p Food Trucks Open 12-11p Bar 12p Vendors /Merch & Gun Raffles @ Vet Mech Arms Booth - Win a gun for as little at $1! Bolt Action 22 - .250, Lever Action 357 - .38, 1911 N45 ACP & AR15 .556! Winners announced 5p Saturday on stage. 4-6p Live Music: Sergio Gutierrez 5p Check-in/Sign-Ups for Texas Hold Em - Sign up day of for Texas Hold Em at no additional cost - Sign up online by Nov 1 5p Registration Trailer/Check-in Closed 6p Texas Hold Em (Start) 6-8p Line Dancing hosted by: Alena Duncan 8p-11p Music, Dancing & Creating Awesome Memories 8p Merch Closes 11p Bar Closes Friday - 11/6 8a Registration Trailer/Check-In & Merch 8a Bar Check with Food Trucks, some will be serving breakfast! 9a Vendors Open & Gun Raffle @ Vet Mech Arms Booth - Win a gun for as little at $1 @ Vet Mech Arms vendor booth! Winner announced 5p Saturday on stage. Bolt Action 22 - .250, Lever Action 357 - .38, 1911 N45 ACP & AR15 .556! 10a Yoga presented by: One Love Yoga - Cheryl Thompson - No sign up necessary, BYOM (Bring your own mat) 3-10p Tap Wagon (Beer!) 3-4:30p Live Music: Shelly Cargill 4p Live Painting: Sergio Gutierrez - This live painting will be auctioned off Saturday! 4p Cornhole Check-In/Sign ups - Sign up day of for the Cornhole Tourney at no additional cost 4:30p Cornhole Tourney Begins 5p Registration/Check-in Closes 5:45p Cornhole Intermission 5:45p Vendor Run Winner Announcement on Stage 6-8p Live Music: Valentine Rodeo 8p Music : Request Songs, Dancing, Drinks & Fun to be had! 11p Bar Closes Saturday - 11/7 7a Registration Trailer/Check-In & Merch 8a Opening Ceremonies & MANDATORY RIDERS MEETING - This meeting is important! Not only will you receive information on what The Fern 45 does, you will receive important course marking information, how to get back if you get lost, emergency service info, etc. 8a Merch/Registration paused for Ceremonies/riders Meeting 9a Course Gates open - The gates to the start of the course will be open from 9-11a. If you are going 10mph on the course, it will take you approx 4hr . So there is no reason to not be at the riders meeting and line up "early" :) 10a Registration Trailer/Check-In Closed & Merch Closed ‘til 12p - Registration/Check-in will close at 10a - This means all "day-of" purchasers need to get here before 10a to secure a spot in the poker run 11a Course Gates close 12p Vendors , Bar & Tap Wagon, Merch, Food Trucks Open - Head to Vet Mech arms booth to see if there are any raffle spaces left for a chance to win a gun ! Winners announced 5p on stage. Bolt Action 22 - .250, Lever Action 357 - .38, 1911 N45 ACP & AR15 .556! 1:30p Poker Board Up - This will be the key to see what hand you have 3p Course Cardstops close - If you still are on the course past this time, make sure you are back in the venue by 4:30ish to get the remaining stamps at cardstop 5 & 6. 4:44p 5th & 6th Cardstop's in venue closed 4:45p Sasquatch Game Winner, Door Prize Winner & Poker Winner announced 5p Gun Raffle Winners Pulled on stage *5:15p Sergio Painting begins LIVE AUCTION/RAFFLE BEGINS *7p-9p Live Music: Trent Beaver Band 9p Music & Chillin’ by the fire 10p Tap Wagon Closes 11p Bar closes * Times subject to Change slightly

Go Back to Honor Wall Jim Lamon Marine Corps E-7 Gunnery Sergeant from 1963-1991. Army Reserves Sergeant First Class 1991-2001 Previous Next

Go Back to Honor Wall Paul Bright U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant 31 years of service Retiring in December Previous Next