BONNERS FERRY, Idaho — Hundreds of rubber ducks are set to take over the Kootenai River this summer as the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club revives a beloved community tradition to raise money for local scholarships and community projects.
The Great Kootenai River Duck Race is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 3 p.m., with ducks launching from the downtown Kootenai River Bridge and racing downstream to Rocky Point, near the Boundary County Search and Rescue boat launch. The event marks a return of a race that was last held by the county fair roughly 15 to 20 years ago — and the Rotary Club is even recycling ducks from that earlier event to make it happen again.
How the Race Works — and What It Costs
Participants can purchase a small duck for $5, with prizes of $200 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. For those feeling more adventurous, large ducks are available at $100 each, with a top prize of $1,000 — though only 100 large ducks are available for sale. The club is hoping to sell a minimum of 400 small ducks before race day.
Duck tickets can be purchased at several Bonners Ferry locations, including Hidden Haven Sweets and Treats, Al Wilson Auto Repair, and Accurate Northwest Autobody. Tickets will also be available at a booth during the Boundary County Fair.
For a community looking for a full calendar of Fourth of July and summer events in Bonner County, the duck race offers one more reason to gather outdoors and support local causes before the summer winds down.
Funds Stay Close to Home
The Rotary Club distributes between $10,000 and $12,000 annually in scholarships, and proceeds from the race are directed toward students, families, and community organizations throughout the Bonners Ferry area.
Club President Sandy Johnstone emphasized the local focus of every dollar raised. “Most of the money that we raise here stays right within Bonners Ferry,” Johnstone said. “It supports clubs, groups, children and activities that the community can be part of.”
Rotary Secretary Glenda Poston added that the club takes its financial responsibility seriously, saying the organization carefully examines how its contributions flow back into the community. The club operates under last year’s theme of “Unite for Good,” a banner that reflects its mission to channel community support into tangible local outcomes.
The Rotary’s approach — leveraging a fun, family-friendly event to generate scholarship and community funding — reflects a model that has worked well for civic organizations across North Idaho. Rather than relying on large institutional donors, the club builds its annual giving capacity through grassroots fundraising, where a $5 rubber duck purchase translates directly into educational opportunity for a Boundary County student.
Getting Involved With Bonners Ferry Rotary
For community members interested in learning more about the club or attending a meeting, the Bonners Ferry Rotary holds regular noon gatherings at the Kootenai River Inn on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. A more informal gathering takes place on second Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
The duck race joins a broader summer of community engagement across the Idaho Panhandle. Events like live performances at local breweries and outdoor festivals reflect the region’s strong tradition of neighbors supporting neighbors through shared experience.
What Comes Next
With the race still weeks away, the Rotary Club is focused on moving duck inventory and spreading word about the Aug. 15 event. Residents interested in buying a duck — or a whole fleet — are encouraged to visit one of the three local retail locations or watch for the club’s booth at the Boundary County Fair. Whether a first-place finish or just a fun afternoon on the river, every duck sold puts scholarship dollars back into the hands of Bonners Ferry’s next generation.