Club events
25-28 September | Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish, Louisiana
Alligator Festival
The unmistakable aroma of Cajun spices and the lively sound of zydeco music will fill the air as this vibrant, family-friendly event draws thousands of visitors for a weekend of food, fun, and philanthropy. True to its name, the Alligator Festival offers a culinary adventure featuring everything from fried alligator bites to gumbo and jambalaya, all prepared with authentic local flair. Beyond the food, guests enjoy live music, carnival rides, craft booths, and cultural exhibits that reflect the rich heritage of the Louisiana bayou. All proceeds go toward scholarships for local students, along with support for Rotary’s broader service initiatives.
26 September – 25 October | Rotary Club of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Craft Fair
In its 49th year, this annual fair will host more than 70 crafters under a massive tent for a monthlong fundraiser that brings in thousands of visitors and dollars. The money raised supports club projects and many local charities, and $50,000 in scholarships will be given to high school seniors.
27 September | Rotary Club of Stoneville, North Carolina
Stoneville Fall Festival
As the club’s primary annual fundraiser, this early autumn festival has brought cheer to Stoneville, a small town near the Virginia border, for more than 35 years. Vendors selling food and crafts line downtown Henry Street from morning to late afternoon. Attendees can play games and watch a variety of musical performances.
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.
27 September | Rotary Club of Colorado Springs, Colorado
18th Annual Wings of Change Gala and Auction
Butterflies and dragonflies created by over 40 local artists, who transform large metal frames into works of art, are offered for bid at this gala event. The garden-sized artwork will be on display from 29 August to 26 September at the Pioneers Museum in downtown Colorado Springs. Proceeds from sales at the gala will be used to support STEAM education in our local school district and other projects of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs.
28 September | Rotary Club of Charles County (La Plata), Maryland
Lobster Festival
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the club as well as its 50th annual lobster feast, held at the Charles County Fairgrounds. Ticket buyers get two whole Maine lobsters and a bowl of fried clams and can also partake in burgers, hot dogs, sides, beer, and soft drinks. The event includes live music, a silent auction, and children’s activities. It benefits local projects, nonprofits, and scholarships.
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.
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.
