It's prime time for ducks! On Sunday June 14th at 12:00 p.m. the West Bay Rotary Club's annual Duck Derby lines up 3,000 rubber ducks at the top of the falls in Camden Harbor, and with the sound of an air horn, they're released, furiously competing to be the first across the finish line. 

“This is quite the show,” said West Bay Rotary President Etienne Perret. “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.”

It’s always loads of fun for the whole family to see the rubber duckies tumbling their way down the falls and to support this important community fundraiser. This year the club aims to raise $15,000, with all proceeds going right back to local charities through the club’s grants program.

Buying a ticket... or five... is a great way to give back to your community. Last year, the West Bay Rotary funded more than 19 charities and nonprofit organizations.

This year the first 18 lucky duck winners across the finish line receive one of the following prizes:

·         7 nights Vanderbilt Beach Resort, Naples ($4,000+) plus $1,000 for travel!

·         $750 pair of diamond earrings by Etienne

·         $100 Waterfront Restaurant Gift Certificate

·         $75 Oak Room-Rockport Harbor Hotel Gift Certificate

·         $75 Vintage Room-16 Bay View Gift Certificate

·         $50 Glendarragh Lavender Farm Gift Certificate

·         $50 Laugh Loud Smile Big Gift Certificate (2x)

·         $50 Graffam’s Seafood Gift Certificate (2x)

·         $50 Oak Room-Rockport Harbor Hotel Gift Certificate

·         $50 Vintage Room-16 Bay View Gift Certificate

·         $50 Plants Unlimited Gift Certificate

·         $40 Sea Hag Cider Gift Certificate

·         $35 Flatbread Pizza Gift Certificate

·         $25 West Branch Hair Gift Certificate

·         $10 Bagel Cafe Gift Certificate (2x)

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

Buy tickets online until Friday, June 12th at midnight from www.WestBayRotaryOfMaine.org. Or 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 “retired” ducks that swim into Camden Harbor once the race is over and the winners are recorded.

This year’s Derby is generously sponsored by presenting sponsors Camden National Bank, Vanderbilt Beach Resort, Edward Jones—Ken Gardner,  along with Allen Insurance and Financial, First National Bank, North Atlantic Painting & Builders, Rockport Building Partners, Quirk Auto Group, New Leaf Construction, Bay View Collection, Adventure Advertising, Barren Distillery + Restaurant, and Sandy Cox—New England Real Estate.

About West Bay Rotary

West Bay Rotary is celebrating its 40th year 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 Windjammer Weekend Lobster Bake, Christmas Tree sales, Toboggan Nationals parking, “Swing Into Spring” Golf Tournament, Special Olympics, and more.

The door for prospective members is always open. West Bay Rotarians 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.