Club events
3 October | Rotary Club of Boise Sunrise, Idaho
LobsterFest
For nearly two decades, the club has organized an annual fundraising dinner of lobster and potatoes. (Steak and vegetarian meals are also available.) The event, held at the Riverside Hotel along the Boise River, includes live music from an acoustic trio and silent and live auctions. Proceeds go toward five organizations that support youths; last year’s event brought in more than $450,000.
3-5 October | Rotary Club of Shelton Skookum, Washington
OysterFest
Held annually since 1982, OysterFest is not just a fundraiser; it also promotes Mason County’s shellfish industry and the issues that affect it. The celebration kicks off Friday night with a music-focused event, OysterFunk, for adults 21 and older. On Saturday and Sunday, attendees of all ages will enjoy watching oyster-shucking competitions, sampling seafood and other bites, and listening to live music. Local breweries and wineries serve drinks, and there are plenty of activities for kids. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits and scholarships.
4 October | Rotary Club of Monroe, Washington
Barn Dance Auction
This annual one-of-a-kind event includes a traditional BBQ dinner, along with silent and live auctions. Held at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, the event draws nearly 200 attendees and last year’s event netted nearly $100,000. The funds raised support scholarships for high school seniors; the Miracle League, which is a baseball team for children and young adults with special needs; and many other local charities and causes. A crowd-favorite fundraiser is the chicken poop contest. Attendees can buy a square and at the end of the evening, the square where the chicken does its business determines the winner.
Tell us about your club’s upcoming event: Write to magazine@rotary.org and put “calendar” in the subject line. To be considered for inclusion in Rotary magazine’s print edition, submissions must be received at least five months before the event.
11 October | Rotary Club of Black River Falls, Wisconsin
BBQ Cook-off
In its fourth year, this culinary competition has become a must-attend fall event in west-central Wisconsin, raising funds for community organizations. Local chefs bring their barbecue talents to the Sand Creek Brewing Company, and attendees feast on the finger-licking fare. Those who sign up to be judges select the winner of the coveted championship belt. In addition to the food, there will be raffles and kids games.
11 October | Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo Sunrise, California
BEERnardo Festival
This festival has become a prime destination for beer and wine enthusiasts. Held at Webb Lake Park, the event will feature more than 50 top-rated beers, regional wines, and craft spirits, such as hard ciders, seltzers, kombuchas, and vodka. The drinks are complemented by gourmet food, fun games, and live music from Southern California bands. More than 900 attendees are expected, and proceeds will support local and international nonprofit projects.
11 October | Rotary Club of Cloverdale, California
Asti Tour de Vine Bike Ride
This bicycle tour takes place in Northern Sonoma County’s breathtaking wine country. Pedal on uncrowded routes through charming rural valleys, past autumn-hued vineyards, alongside the meandering Russian River, and on pathways overlooking Lake Sonoma. Riders can select from many distances, including the carefree 25k for the beginner and the extreme 100-mile challenge called the Rockpile Rumble. Along the way, riders enjoy harvest-themed rest stops and healthy foods and snacks. A luncheon awaits at the end of the ride, which benefits local projects and nonprofits.
11 October | Rotary Club of Thornbury Clarksburg, Ontario
Thornbury Turkey Trot
This annual race on Canada’s Thanksgiving weekend features a 5K, 10K, half marathon run/walk, and free 1K run for kids. Participants can enjoy the fall colors of the Beaver Valley in the Town of the Blue Mountains, situated on the shores of Georgian Bay. This family friendly community event benefits community food, youth and scholarship programs. Participants receive race swag, chip timing, medals, a winner’s ceremony (age categories and overall), post-race food, community center amenities, free parking, and a rockin’ DJ.
12 October | Rotary Club of Cape Henry, Virginia
41st Annual Oyster Crush Charity Fundraiser
Known as the best party in Virginia Beach, this longtime event features a massive oyster roast and live entertainment. Enjoy all-you-can-eat oysters, raw or roasted over a wood fire, and steamed clams, along with a full meal including BBQ and fried chicken. Dance to music all day long! Since 2015, this event has raised over $394,000 for local charities, scholarships and youth leadership programs in the Hampton Roads area.
13 October | Rotary Club of Champions, Texas
4th Annual Golf Tournament
Golfers will tee off and play a Texas Scramble round at the Robson Ranch Wildhorse Golf Club in Denton. In its fourth year, this event brings golfers, sponsors, and supporters together for a day of fun, fellowship, and philanthropy and has already helped raise over $200,000 to go toward building a Habitat Humanity Home in Justin. This year, the tournament will benefit three local nonprofits.
15 October | Rotary Club of St. Michaels, Maryland
Mustang Raffle
A club tradition since 1980, this year’s raffle features a 2025 blue convertible. A maximum of 2,600 tickets will be sold for $30 each, or $80 for three. The drawing will be held in St. Michaels, Maryland, but the winner need not be present. The winner has a choice of the car or a $25,000 cash prize. Tickets can be purchased online. Questions can be emailed to stmrotary@yahoo.com. The club has given out more than $200,000 in scholarships to senior high school students over the past decade.
16-18 October | Rotary Club of Cincinnati
Do Days
The club launched this annual event in 2022 with the goal of mobilizing volunteers to help community nonprofits. Over three days, some 600 people support dozens of organizations in the Cincinnati area through hands-on projects such as meal packing, landscaping, cleaning, and envelope stuffing. The effort brings together individuals and groups to meet the critical needs of their community while fostering teamwork, connection, and a shared spirit of giving.
19 October | Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, California
33rd Annual Street Fair
This year’s fair will host 350 booths, filling the street with vendors offering food, drinks, arts and crafts, and other items to the public. Attendees can also enjoy live music, a car show, and children’s activities, including rides and bounce houses. Over 300 businesses and nonprofit organizations take part, and the event is expected to raise more than $60,000.00 to help 70 local charities. The local sheriff’s department and firefighters will be on hand to greet the public.
23 October | Rotary Club of Franklin, Tennessee
Pedal for Polio
The club’s annual World Polio Day fundraiser has evolved into a friendly competition between several Rotary clubs in Williamson County. Each club’s participants, consisting of three past presidents, don costumes and race tricycles around a track. Other club members dress as cheerleaders and root for their teams. Trophies are awarded to the club that finishes fastest, the one with the best costumes, and the one that raises the most money.
24 October | Rotary Club of Amelia Island Sunrise, Florida
Lobster Fest-To-Go
Back for its sixth year, this unique culinary fundraiser features hundreds of live New England lobsters flown in fresh for drive-up pickup in Fernandina Beach. Pre-ordered lobsters are available cooked (on location) or live. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit three impactful local programs: ARC Nassau’s Life Skills Program, empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; FERST Readers, fostering early childhood literacy; and the local Babe Ruth league, a community baseball program for young athletes.
30 October | Rotary Club of Catalina (Tucson), Arizona
Denim & Diamonds
The Skyline Country Club, nestled in the Santa Catalina foothills north of Tucson, is the site of this social fundraising event. The money raised goes to a fund that helps children from low-income and active military families in southern Arizona attend overnight summer camps, including one for kids with special needs. Since the fund was started by the Arizona Daily Star newspaper nearly 80 years ago, tens of thousands of children have benefited.
1 November | Rotary Club of Little River, South Carolina
5K Run/Walk
Runners of all ages and abilities can start the month off on the right foot at the club’s 17th annual 5K race. The route has only a few turns and ends on the waterfront of the Intracoastal Waterway. The race is part of a “holiday challenge” held in conjunction with the nearby Rotary Club of Conway; participants who also compete in the Conway club’s Rivertown Reindeer Run 5K in December receive a special gift. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits and scholarships.
1 November | Rotary Club of Sierra Vista Sunrise, Arizona
13th Annual Rising Sun Run
Located on the high desert plain of southeast Arizona, Sierra Vista offers the ideal venue to stage a beautiful and challenging half marathon and 5K, with a 1-mile fun run/walk. Starting with the Huachuca Mountains as their background, the courses wind through country neighborhoods with the half marathon continuing up to a turn-around at the entrance to the beautiful Ramsey Canyon Preserve at 5,500 feet of elevation. The return to the finish line affords striking vistas of the San Pedro River Valley. Both the half marathon and 5K courses are USA Track & Field certified. Half marathon medals and 5K cash prizes are presented immediately following the races. Proceeds benefit local projects, non-profits, scholarships, and Rotary youth leadership programs.
8 November | Rotary Club of Alvin, Texas
Novemberfest
In its 21st year, this free festival features an array of activities and attractions at Alvin’s National Oak Park. The car and bike show awards over 125 trophies and plaques to owners of antique and modern cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Other highlights include an arts and crafts show, food vendors, live music, a kids’ zone, and a tribute to veterans. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits and scholarships.
8 November | Rotary Club of Fernandina Beach, Florida
38th Annual Taste of Amelia
Attendees enjoy an afternoon in historic downtown Fernandina Beach and can enjoy culinary bites from more than 30 local restaurants. This event also features live music, beverages, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Net proceeds benefit the club’s Scholarship Fund and support education programs throughout Nassau County, directly impacting the lives of local students.
8 November | Rotary Club of Point Loma. San Diego, California
12th Annual Ride the Point
This beloved community event offers cyclists of all levels the chance to ride exclusive 5-, 25-, and 62-mile routes through San Diego’s most scenic coastal and urban landscapes —all while supporting life-saving pancreatic cancer research and local civic initiatives. Ride the Point honors the legacy of Jim Krause, a passionate cyclist and Rotarian who died of pancreatic cancer. The day also includes a Healthy Lifestyles Expo, featuring local vendors, entertainment, and refreshments.
9 November | Rotary Club of Clemmons, North Carolina
The holiday season in Clemmons kicks off with this event, which draws families to Tanglewood Park to view the elaborate illuminated displays that make up the Festival of Lights. (TOAST stands for Totally Outstanding Awesome Stroll through Tanglewood.) Children and adults alike can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy music played by a DJ, and nosh on fare from more than a dozen food trucks.
15 November | Rotary Club of North Charleston, South Carolina
Race for Life 5K Run/Walk
In its second year, this race takes place at Brown Family Park. All 5K participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and finisher medal. Held in partnership with Together We Are Helping Hands, the event will promote awareness for mental health, autism, and dementia, and also fund annual college scholarships for North Charleston high school seniors.
23 November | Rotary Club of Lynnfield, Massachusetts
Turkey Trot
A popular pre-Thanksgiving race since 2009, this 5K has in recent years honored the memory of Lynnfield resident Julie Routhier, who died of cancer in 2022. The club partners with the Julie Routhier Foundation to sponsor the event, which starts at Lynnfield Town Hall. Among the scholarships that the club funds with the proceeds is one in Routhier’s name that is awarded to a high school senior pursuing a career in teaching.
26 November - 31 December | Rotary Club of Lake Country-Hartland, Wisconsin
Yule Feed Families
This holiday fundraiser and food drive was founded in 1991 by longtime club members Gary Jasiek and Scott Peterson and for many years was organized in partnership with the newspaper they both worked for. Since its inception, the annual campaign has collected more than $1 million in donations and tens of thousands of grocery items for five food pantries in the Lake Country area of Waukesha County. This year, the club hopes to raise at least $55,000.
27 November | Rotary Club of Perry Township (Canton), Ohio
Turkey Trot
Each year, hundreds of families in the Canton area turn out on Thanksgiving morning for this event at Central Catholic High School. The main race is a 5K run/walk, while the Little Gobbler Run offers a shorter course for kids under 10 years old. Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers overall and in various age divisions. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits.