Rotary Club of Kirkland will put bright yellow ducks into Lake Washington on Sunday, Aug. 11 during the 16th annual running of the Great Puget Sound Duck Dash.

Ten thousand rubber ducks will brave the cold waters to decide who will win $5,000 and support numerous local charities and organizations.

Every duck “adopted” is really a winner, say Rotary officials. The organization’s sponsors cover the cost of the race, so by adopting a duck, members of the community are supporting great projects in the Kirkland community. Some of those projects include the Boys & Girls Club, Operation Warm Coats and Shoes, Reading and Math Buddies and Miracle League Baseball.

The club will award a $1,000 grand prize, plus many more prizes for the ducks that cross the finish line in the top 10.

All that is necessary to participate is to purchase a duck adoption for $5 from a Kirkland Rotarian at the Kirkland Wednesday Market at Marina Park or at the Juanita Farmer’s Market on Friday.

Since the club’s beginning in 1937, members have held fundraisers to support projects in Kirkland, surrounding communities and Rotary international projects. Early on there were pancake breakfasts, three-on-three basketball exhibitions and auctions.

In 1997 the Great Puget Sound Duck Race came to town and it’s been the club’s major fundraiser ever since. Kirkland Rotary has raised more than $500,000 over the years and most of those funds have come back to the Kirkland community.  Held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Marina Park in downtown Kirkland, the Duck Dash will provide an entertaining finale to SummerFest activities.

For more information about these events or the Rotary Club of Kirkland, visit www.kirklandrotary.org.