Club events
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.
24-27 September | Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish, Louisiana
Alligator Festival
Just west of New Orleans, St. Charles Parish boasts thousands of acres of wetlands that provide an ideal habitat for alligators. And for nearly 50 years, the club has put on a festival in honor of what is now Louisiana’s state reptile. A live exhibit overseen by expert gator handlers offers the opportunity to see the critters up close. Meanwhile, attendees can eat alligator prepared in numerous ways, from burgers to egg rolls. The festival, which benefits local scholarships, also includes live music, carnival rides, and craft booths.
26 September | Rotary Club of Monteagle-Sewanee, Tennessee
Hunger Walk
Held yearly since 2014, this 2.5-mile walk raises awareness about food insecurity in three southern Tennessee counties. It also raises funds to support efforts in the area to help address the issue, including the Community Action Committee Food Pantry and the Grundy County Food Bank. About $100,000 was generated last year alone, much of it from students attending the University of the South.
26 September | Rotary Club of New Bern-Breakfast, North Carolina
Oktoberfest
Festival attendees can expect a bounty of German fare, such as bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, and giant Bavarian pretzels, at this annual event, now in its 15th year. A local brewery will provide a special Oktoberfest beer and other refreshments, while the Little German Band and Dancers will sing and dance in traditional costumes. A strength contest awards $100 to the man and woman who can hold a 1-liter stein full of water the longest. Event proceeds benefit the club’s Kicks for Kids project and local scholarships.
2-3 October | Rotary Club of Cleburne County, Arkansas
Ozark Trail Festival
The resort town of Heber Springs, which sits beside a lake in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, is the site of this festival, now in its 67th year. The event, which benefits local nonprofits and scholarships, opens on Friday with live music in Spring Park. Saturday starts with a 5K fun run, followed by a “star-spangled” parade with floats, a car show, a dog show, and more music. Food and drinks will be sold.
3 October | Rotary Club of Alexandria, Virginia
Walk for Water 2026
Join Rotary District 7610's Strategic Water Alliance for the annual Walk for Water and help bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to underserved communities around the world. Walk with us in person at Jones Point Park or participate virtually from anywhere in the world. Every registration helps fund sustainable water projects that transform lives.
3 October | Rotary Club of Hilo Bay
Hilo Bay Oktoberfest
Aloha! This festival, the club’s signature annual fundraiser for over 25 years, features German food, beer, wine, soft drinks, entertainment, and games. Proceeds from the event fund local projects and contribute to the international effort to eradicate polio.
5 October | Rotary Club of Rogers, Arkansas
Dick Daniel Golf Classic
This shotgun-style golf tournament, named in honor of a longtime club member who passed away in 2020, takes place at the Shadow Valley Country Club. Golfers compete to win prizes for the longest drive and the shot that lands closest to the pin. They can also take part in a putting contest. Last year’s inaugural event brought in more than $25,000, which helped local high school graduates continue their education.
8-11 October | Rotary Club of Sheridan, Wyoming
Gunpowder and Buckskin Club
Since 1954, the club has annually hosted hunters from around the world for a long weekend of sportsmanship and fellowship. The adventure includes a buck hunt with guides, a prairie dog hunt, trap shooting, and fishing, among other activities. Wyoming law grants the club up to 25 deer hunting licenses for the event, allowing out-of-state guests to take part without needing to enter the state’s annual license drawing.
10 October | Rotary Club of Thornbury Clarksburg, Ontario
Thornbury Turkey Trot
This annual Canadian Thanksgiving weekend race takes participants through the fall colours of the Beaver Valley. Registrants can choose from multiple distances, including a half marathon, 10k, 5k run/walk, and a free 1k kids run. The entry fee covers race swag, chip timing, medals, post-race food, community centre amenities, free parking, and a rockin’ DJ. The family friendly event celebrates Rotary’s contribution to the community and abroad, with proceeds benefiting local food, youth, and scholarship programs.
17 October | Rotary clubs of Hudson and Hudson Daybreak, Wisconsin
Halloween Parade and Costume Contest
First held more than 70 years ago, this daytime holiday parade is billed as Hudson’s longest-running community event. In recent years, the clubs have partnered with the local chamber of commerce and tourism bureau to incorporate the parade into the Hilltop Pumpkin Party, which features wagon rides, pumpkin decorating, and a petting zoo at a YMCA campground along the St. Croix River. The costume contest is open to all, with cash prizes awarded for the best costumes in each age group.
17-18 October | Rotary Club of Lexington Park, Maryland
U.S. Oyster Festival
Fresh oysters from Maryland and Virginia are the stars of this event, held at a county fairground in the Chesapeake Bay area. Attendees can sample both wild and farmed bivalves prepared in a variety of ways, along with crab cakes, craft beer, and other festival fare. The celebration culminates in the fast-paced U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship; last year’s winner shucked two dozen oysters in about two minutes. The two-day event, which benefits local nonprofits and scholarships, also includes live music, kids’ activities, and crafts vendors.
23 October | Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach, Florida
Texas Hold’em Charity Poker Tournament
A ticket to this poker tournament at Oceanside Country Club includes appetizers, drinks, entry into a raffle, and starting chips. Prizes are awarded to the final table participants, with thousands of dollars going to the top three finishers. The proceeds support No Longer Fatherless, a local nonprofit that provides mentors to boys growing up without a father figure.