CAMDEN — The West Bay Rotary ducks raged down the sluiceway into Camden Harbor this past Sunday, much to the delight of hundreds of onlookers.

“It was nip and quack on the falls, then all-out waddling down the straightaway for a breathtaking finish,” said Chief Duck Wrangler Shelly Butler. “This year it was a tight race all the way, but in the end, 11 lucky ducks prevailed.”

Each one of the ducks is numbered to correspond with a raffle ticket and loaded at random into bins. Then in precise synchronization, seven able-bodied West Bay Rotarians situated at the top of the sluiceway released them to the turbulent waters that flow into the harbor. The competition can be intense, and many ducks are known to train all winter long.

This year’s winners are:

 Claudia Griffiths - $1,000 travel voucher plus 7-night stay at the fabulous Vanderbilt Beach Resort in Naples, Florida.

 Ken Gardiner - 2 nights at Whitehall Inn in Camden

 Mike Libby - $150 gift certificate to Franny’s Bistro

 Evan Mullin - $100 gift certificate to The Waterfront Restaurant

 Tom Bateman - $50 gift certificate to LAUGH loud SMILE big

 Sarah Latterner - $50 gift certificate to Leonard’s in Camden

 Samantha Mortlock - $40 gift certificate to Symmetree

 Vickie Lowe - $25 gift certificate to the Camden Deli

 Jane LaFluer - $25 gift certificate to Sea Dog Brewing Company Camden

 Heather Burns - $25 gift certificate to Zoot Coffee

 Gwen Clemens - Pearl Bracelet by local designer Etienne Perret

 Michelle Cox - $50 gift certificate to LAUGH loud SMILE big

Butler added, “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. But invariably there are a few that have learned how to tip the scales in their favor. That winning difference sometimes can be only a matter of feathers.”

This year’s race was loads of fun, and all proceeds will go right back to the community through the club’s grants program. In 2023, West Bay Rotary funded more than 20 charities and nonprofit organizations.

A special thanks goes to this year’s sponsors: Edward Jones Investments, Vanderbilt Beach Resort, Camden National Bank, Allen Insurance and Financial, First National Bank, Bay Cities Refuse, Rockport Building Partners, Evergreen Philanthropic Solutions, and Sandy Cox-New England Real Estate.

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.