Camas Days 
At high noon Sunday, July 23, thousands of rubber ducks will take the plunge off the Third Avenue Bridge into the Washougal River.
The 23rd annual Ducky Derby is the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club’s primary fundraiser. Folks “adopt” the ducks for $5 each, then hope their duck is the fastest one down the river. Considering that the grand prize is a trip to Hawaii, it’s understandable that the annual duck race is a big Camas Days’ attraction.
Head Duck Aaron Reiter said between the derby’s raffle tickets and the sponsorships, the club is able to raise more than $35,000 each year. All of the proceeds help fund the club’s year-round service projects.
“This event is as much about winning a trip to Hawaii as it is about giving back to the community,” Reiter said. “The derby funds everything that the Rotary Club does. Whether that’s dictionaries for third-graders, backpacks filled with school supplies for children or scholarships for high school students hoping to attend college; everybody can feel good about that.”
People can adopt a duck for $5 at the Rotary Club booth, located downtown during Camas Days from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday and Saturday. Keep an eye out for Rotary Club members dressed as ducks roaming about the festival. Reiter’s favorite part of the fundraiser is interacting with visitors while in costume. Tickets also are available by emailing headduck@cwduckyderby.com.
