Smith Lake People: Craw Daddy Dave

"Craw Daddy Dave", David Dempsey brings smiles to everyone he meets on Smith Lake. He is one of a kind and has been all over the lake, meeting all the Smith Lake folks  ~ serving smiles one net at a time.

Dave has frequented Smith for the last 25 years after his parents built a home on Rock Creek. In 2008, he started a business as the "popsicle boat" on the Warrior River located just below Smith Lake. Fast forward to 2011, he made the decision to move his floating popsicle boat up stream. What began as a spin-off of his crawfish & seafood boil business is now a Smith Lake tradition, even recently being featured on an Absolutely Alabama as the Smith Lake Popsicle Boat Man.

Dave's favorite thing about Smith Lake {other than the people} is the beauty it brings to the state of Alabama. As the captain of the one of the most popular boats on the water,  Dave has had the opportunity to meet many of the people who make Smith Lake great. He loves being part of  our lake community and has further cemented his claim to fame by founding the upcoming "Poor Man's Poker Run".

Many around Smith Lake enjoyed the tradition of the Beasley Poker Run for many years. Sadly this tradition came to a halt in 2016. With Dave's presence on the water, he was constantly being asked about a poker run so he figured, WHY not?? Dave posted his question on the popular Facebook group, Lewis Smith Lake Alabama. The response was more than positive; it was a hit!

Together with Brian Czup as his promotional partner, Dave went to town planning Smith Lake's new The Poor Man Poker Run, set for Saturday, August 25th! Hands are $25 with proceeds benefiting Wake the World. Stops will be located across the lake at 14 participating docks on  {check out the stops here}. Participants will have the option to make as many or as few poker stops as they choose, but only one per dock. Cards will be scratch-off with a registered hand number on each card. The first hand starts being dealt at 10:00 a.m. with the final at 3:00 p.m. All hands playing and folded must be delivered to the Lewis Smith Lake Dam dock by 4:00 p.m. As with any good event, there will be popsicles and door prizes! Snag your hands now and join us for the 1st Annual Poor Man Poker Run!

And PS .... It's true the popsicle boat and Dave's Crawfish & Seafood Boil business makes house calls to the tune of family reunions, family gatherings, company parties and events on on Smith Lake. Hit him up if you need him on your dock! 

We ❤ Smith Lake!

 #SmithLakeAlabama

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