CAMDEN — On Sunday, May 26, at 2:30 p.m., the West Bay Rotary Club will host its annual Duck Derby.

“It’s a race where 3,000 rubber ducks take their marks, get set, and with the sound of an air horn, are released down the falls, furiously competing to be the first across the finish line in Camden Harbor,” said West Bay Rotary, in a news release.

“This is quite the show,” said Shelly Butler, Rotarian, and the head quack for this year’s race. “We try hard to make sure there’s a level playing pool at the top, so that every duck has a swimming chance at winning.”

According to West Bay, it’s loads of fun for the whole family to see the rubber duckies tumble their way down the falls and support this important fundraiser for the West Bay Rotary Club.

This year the club aims to raise $15,000, with all proceeds going right back to the community through the club’s grants program.

“When you purchase a Duck Derby ticket, you not only are entering to win a prize, you are also helping to support your community,” said the release.

In 2023, the West Bay Rotary funded more than 20 charities and nonprofit, including: Midcoast Recovery Coalition addiction recovery programs; Bay Chamber student scholarships; Lincolnville Historical Society plumbing repairs; and the Curtis Island Lighthouse flagpole restoration.

This year the first 10 lucky duck winners across the finish line receive one of the following prizes:

 7 nights at the luxurious oceanside Vanderbilt Beach Resort - Naples, Florida ($2,200 value)
 PLUS $1,000 travel voucher
 2 Nights at The Whitehall Inn
 $100 Waterfront Restaurant Gift Cert.
 $100 Franny’s Bistro Gift Certificate
 $50 Laugh Loud Gift Certificate (2x)
 $50 Leonard’s Gift Certificate
 $40 Symmetree Gift Certificate
 $25 Camden Deli Gift Certificate
 $25 Sea Dog Gift Certificate
 $25 Zoots Gift Certificate

When you purchase a ticket, the number of your ticket will correspond with a numbered duck. Tickets are $5 for a duck, or you can get a raft of five ducks for $20.

Buy tickets online until Friday, May 24 at midnight from www.WestBayRotaryOfMaine.org. Tickets can also be purchased from any West Bay Rotarian. And every Saturday until race day, West Bay Rotarians will be selling tickets in front of French & Brawn from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Children attending the race can take home one of the ducks that swim into Camden Harbor once the race is over and the winners are recorded.

About West Bay Rotary

West Bay Rotary is celebrating its 39th year of manifesting its mission of “service above self” here in the Midcoast. The club undertakes dozens of community projects as well as fundraising (and “fun-raising”) events, including the Chili Challenge, Christmas Tree sales, Chowda Challenge, and more. The door for prospective members is always open. West Bay Rotarians come from all walks of life and offer a fun way to meet new people and get engaged in the community. The club meets on Thursday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Congregational Church in Camden and via Zoom. For more information, go to: www.WestBayRotaryOfMaine.org.