The Alturas Rotary Club’s return of the duck race made a splash again this year, with all 2,500 plastic ducks claimed ahead of Saturday’s event. The race, held just after the Fandango Days parade, brought a big crowd to the banks of the Pit River for one of the town’s most anticipated summer traditions.
Guy Axelrod walked away with the grand prize — a $10,000 cash payout sponsored by Ormat — when his duck crossed the finish line first. Barry Pierce took second place and a $2,500 cash prize provided by Alturas Tire. The Blue Duck corporate prize of $5,000, sponsored by Desert Rose Casino, went to Budmark Construction.
Other winners took home prizes ranging from a water heater with installation to Yeti gear, gift cards, and a half hog, cut and wrapped.
Here is the full list of winners:
Ed Staub & Sons Water Heater – Bill Plymel
Les Schwab Tires (up to $1,500) – Frieda DuBois
Car Quest Welder with Hood – Robin Thomas
Holiday Market Yeti Prize – Megan Wright
Four Seasons Traeger Grill – Sarah Bozeman
Heart T Hogs ½ Hog – David DeLeon
Hat Creek Construction $600 Gift Certificate – Stephanie Wellemoer
Arrowhead Golf Membership (2026) – Dick Mackey
Double-A Gym Membership – George Wildy
California Pines Lodge $500 Cash – Macy Van Eader
Holiday Market $500 Gift Card – Erik Vander
Grocery Outlet $100 Gift Cards (x5) – Stacy Spahr
Frank’s Carpet $500 Gift Certificate – Larry Boulade
Pepsi Snowboard – George Wildy
Modoc Family Optometry Oakley Sunglasses – Rick Read
Dick Read Steak Knife and Fork Set – Aaron Pereira
Reuck & Co. Gift Basket – Carolyn Wilson
Napa Sierra Alturas $100 Gift Card – Mary Sharp
Horst Farm Supply $100 Gift Certificate – Ken Franklin
Proceeds from the duck race go toward Rotary Club community projects and youth programs. Organizers thanked the community for another sold-out year and the many local sponsors who donated prizes.
