The Rotary Clubs of Alturas are reviving the beloved Great Rotary Duck Race on Saturday, July 5, following the Fandango Days Fourth of July parade. The duck race, once a signature event from 1996 to 2002, will be held at Main Street and Dorris Bridge, where up to 2,500 rubber ducks will race toward the finish line — and into the hearts of locals once again.
Organizers aim to raise at least $40,000 for causes ranging from nursing scholarships and youth sports to senior initiatives and community development. The effort is personal for some, including Rotarian Joe Catania, who proposed the race’s return in honor of his mother through the Dragon Lady Nursing Scholarship.
“The reason we wanted to bring it back was because Joe brought the idea up to the club,” said one Rotary member. “We unanimously voted yes.’”
How to Participate
Tickets are $25 per duck, and each entry includes a coupon book valued at over $200. Corporate sponsors or individuals can also purchase 10 ducks for $250, which comes with a uniquely numbered blue duck eligible for a separate prize category.
Tickets are available from Rotarians and at:
- Alturas Plumas Bank (Duck Central)
- Madison Insurance
- Dolby Insurance
- Alturas Tire Center
- Ace Hardware
Each duck is assigned a number corresponding to its sponsor, and the first to cross the finish line will win big.
Prizes and Sponsors
- $10,000 grand prize (yellow duck) — Sponsored by ORMAT, a geothermal energy leader
- $2,500 second prize (yellow duck) — Sponsored by Alturas Tire Center & Automotive Repair
- $5,000 blue duck prize — Sponsored by Desert Rose Casino
More than $28,000 in prizes will be awarded, including:
- An on-demand water heater installation-from Ed Staub & Sons
- A four-tire gift certificate- from Alturas Les Schwab Tire Center
- An EM 140 Rouge Welder with hood- from Modoc Steel
- A Yeti prize package-from Holiday Market
- A Traeger Pro 34 pellet grill- from Four Seasons
- Half a hog, cut and wrapped-from Hart T Hogs
- A $600 construction credit-from Hat Creek Construction
- A 2026 golf membership-from Arrowhead Golf Course
- A one-year gym membership-from Double-A-Gym
- $500 in cash-from Cal Pines Lodge
- A snowboard-from Pepsi
- Oakley sunglasses-from Modoc Family Optometry
- A steak knife and fork set-from Dick Read
- Multiple gift cards and gift baskets ranging from $100 to $500- From Holiday Market, Grocery Outlet, Frank’s Carpet, Reuck & Co, Napa Sierra Alturas, Horst Farm Supply
Winners do not need to be present in order to win.
The event is made possible through the support of ORMAT, Desert Rose Casino, Alturas Tire Center, Ed Staubs, Les Schwab Tire Center of Alturas, and many other local businesses and donors.
