Club events
9 November | Rotary Club of Rossmoor (Walnut Creek), California
Midnight in Paris Gala
With a theme in honor of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the club’s 37th annual gala dinner, at the Rossmoor Event Center, will feature French-inspired food, entertainment, and decor. (Entree choices include filet mignon with bearnaise sauce, cod meunière, and quiche Florentine.) Attendees can enter live and silent auctions and win door prizes. District 5160 leaders plan to attend. The event benefits local nonprofits that support Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer services.
15 November | Rotary Club of West Honolulu
65th David Malo Award Banquet
Since 1957 this event has recognized a leader of Hawaiian ancestry who has made a difference in Hawaii. The 2024 honoree is Henry Kapono, an award-winning and Grammy-nominated performer and a supporter of Hawaii's music industry. Past award winners have been highly accomplished in fields such as art, music, dance, education, science, government, religion, business, or sports. The award is named after David Malo, a Hawaiian minister and leader in the 1800s who exemplified the ideals of high achievement and community service.
22 November | Rotary Club of Peoria North, Arizona
Peoria North Fashion Show and Luncheon
At this fashion-focused event, club members and friends model items from the collection of Calle Rose, a traveling boutique of women’s apparel and accessories. The show takes place at Briarwood Country Club, where attendees enjoy lunch and enter raffle drawings. Part of the proceeds benefit the Prom Closet, a club project that provides free formal attire to Arizona high school students.
Tell us about your club’s upcoming event: Write to magazine@rotary.org and put “calendar” in the subject line.
29 November | Rotary Club of Vancouver, Washington
Community Tree Lighting
The lighting of the community Christmas tree kicks off the holiday season in Vancouver. The event starts on the city’s waterfront as decorated Christmas-themed ships sail down the Columbia River, accompanied by a tugboat carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus. The couple then join a parade of vehicles to a nearby park where the tree is lit. Festivities at the park include music, food carts, hot cocoa, carriage rides, and photos with Santa.
5 December | Rotary Club of Hattiesburg-Sunrise, Mississippi
Gingerbread House Contest
This annual contest, now in its fifth year, brings together about 60 teams of families, students, and Rotarians who have one hour to decorate a gingerbread house. A panel made up of local art teachers, mayors, and personalities judge the candy-covered houses and award prizes of $500, $250 and $100. Proceeds from this family-fun event benefit the club’s project to provide dictionaries to third-grade students.
7 December | Rotary Club of Battle Ground, Washington
Festival of Wreaths and Wine
Holiday spirit returns to the Battle Ground Community Center for the club’s biggest annual fundraiser, a dinner and wine tasting accompanied by live music. A silent auction includes, among other items, holiday wreaths created by club members and local artisans. Online bids will also be accepted starting 4 December.
7 December | Rotary Club of Fort Morgan, Colorado
Chili & Soup Festival
At this annual cook-off, attendees can sample a range of soups and chilis prepared by both professional and amateur chefs. Judges select grand prizes in several categories, and People’s Choice awards are given for the entries that receive the most votes from the public. The family-friendly event includes musical and dance performances, cookie and gingerbread house decorating, and a wagon ride around downtown Fort Morgan, with proceeds supporting Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and other local youth programs.
7 December | Rotary Club of Slinger-Allenton, Wisconsin
Breakfast with Santa
Each year on the first Saturday of December, the club hosts a festive pancake and sausage breakfast with Santa Claus at the Slinger High School cafeteria. Live reindeer greet people outside the door. Inside, kids can decorate ornaments, write letters to Santa, get their faces painted, and listen to Mrs. Claus read stories. Children ages 5 and under are admitted for free.
7 December | Rotary Club of Apex, North Carolina
Apex Christmas Parade
The annual Christmas parade in Apex began in 1957, and the club has organized it since 2009. Held in the evening, the procession features more than 100 units, including marching bands, dance teams, classic cars, and colorful floats sponsored by local businesses. The event typically draws more than 25,000 people, and volunteers hand out about 300 pounds of candy to children along the route.
8 December | Rotary Club of Weston, Florida
Run for Tomorrow
In its 27th year, the Run for Tomorrow welcomes hundreds of runners to compete in a half-marathon, a 10K, or a 5K. There is also a 1-mile family walk in which the club awards a trophy to the elementary school with the highest student participation rate. A free health fair, with fitness activities and more than 50 vendors, is held after the races.
14 December | Rotary Club of Naples, New York
Light Up Naples
The town comes together with old-fashioned holiday spirit in this annual event, organized by the Naples club. Main Street homes and businesses are decorated and many shops stay open late, offering free events. The local bell choir rings carols on a church porch. School bands and choirs also perform, and the local fire department offers free chili and hot chocolate. At Memorial Town Hall, Santa and Mrs. Claus listen to children's wishes.
31 December | Rotary Club of Millbrook, New York
New Year’s Eve Millbrook
Starting in the afternoon, this New Year’s Eve celebration is intended for the whole family. Highlights in past years have included circus acts, a puppet show, a model railroad display, and live musical performances from blues, jazz, and classical ensembles. Each year, local students enter a contest to design the event’s logo, which is placed on buttons and stickers sold as admission tokens.
