Kiwanis Club of El Centro

05/22/2026

🦆 ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT! 🦆

The countdown is ON for the 2026 El Centro Kiwanis KenDucky Derby and there’s only ONE WEEK LEFT to grab your tickets and adopt your racing ducks (“ponies”)! 🌊🔥

🎟️ Get your tickets here:
Purchase KenDucky Derby Tickets Online https://kiwanis-el-centro.memberday.org/upcoming-events

💰 Don’t forget about the CASH PRIZES for our top racers:
🥇 1st Place — $600
🥈 2nd Place — $300
🥉 3rd Place — $100

🎩 PLUS… our wildly popular Derby Hat Contest is back!
We’ll have BOTH:
👧 Kids Category
🧑 Adult Category
🏆 Special prizes for the winners!

🍔 Your ticket also includes delicious food from Trap Kitchen Calexico featuring:
🔥 Smash Burgers
🔥 Carne Asada Fries

🏊‍♂️ AND YES — attendees will also be able to enjoy the pool and lazy river at the El Centro Aquatic Center during the event! 💦☀️

Between the ducks, the food, the hats, the pool, the prizes, and the lazy river… this is shaping up to be one QUACKIN’ good night for a great cause! 🦆🌊

📅 Friday, May 29, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 City of El Centro Lazy River

All proceeds help support swim scholarships and programs for local children. 💛

05/21/2026

🦆✨ SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🦆

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse Banquet Hall for joining the 2026 KenDucky Derby as a Stallion Sponsor! 🐎💛

Nestled in the Imperial Valley, Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse is a beautiful and unique venue known for helping create unforgettable celebrations and special moments for our community. From weddings to events and gatherings, they’ve become a place where memories are made. 🌿✨

If our ducks ever decide they want a classy banquet after the race, we know the perfect venue 😄🦆

We are incredibly grateful for businesses like Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse that continue to support local events, local kids, and programs that make a real impact right here in El Centro. 💦

👏 Thank you for helping us make waves through swim scholarships and community programs for children in our city!



https://oldeucalyptus.com/

05/20/2026

🍔FOOD VENDOR SPOTLIGHT 🍔

We’re turning up the flavor at the 2026 KenDucky Derby with none other than Trap kitchen clx 🤩🤩

Ticket holders will get to enjoy some SERIOUSLY good food, including:
🤤 Their famous Smash Burgers
🤤 Loaded Carne Asada Fries

MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR TICKETS BELOW!

Let’s be honest… these ducks may be racing, but some of us are sprinting straight to the food line first 😅🔥

Trap Kitchen Calexico has built a reputation for bringing BIG flavor and great vibes to the Imperial Valley, and we’re excited to have them as part of this year’s derby!

👏 Huge thank you to Moe and Trap Kitchen for supporting this fun community event and helping us raise funds for local kids and swim scholarships.

📅 Friday, May 29, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 City of El Centro Lazy River

Good food. Great people. Rubber ducks. What more could you ask for? 🌊🦆

05/17/2026

🎩🦆 GET THOSE HATS READY! 🦆🎩

The KenDucky Derby Hat Contest is back and we want to see your MOST creative derby-day style! 🌊

Whether you go fancy, funny, over-the-top, sparkly, duck-themed, or completely outrageous… this is your time to SHINE!

🏆 We’ll have TWO categories:
👧 Kids Division
🧑 Adult Division

And yes… the winners in each category will receive a special prize! 🎁👀

Food and pool use included with a $25 ticket!!

So grab your feathers, bows, glitter, pool floaties, rubber ducks, or whatever your imagination dreams up and come ready to impress the crowd!

💦 The wilder the hat… the better your chances!

📍 6th Annual El Centro Kiwanis KenDucky Derby
📅 Friday, May 29, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
🌊 City of El Centro Lazy River

Let’s see who will be crowned this year’s Derby Hat Champions! 🦆👒✨

Tickets below…

https://kiwanis-el-centro.memberday.org/upcoming-events

05/08/2026

🦆💛 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 💛🦆

We are incredibly grateful to Betty Tucker for her generous support as a Thoroughbred Sponsor of the 2026 KenDucky Derby! 🐎✨

It’s sponsors like Betty who truly make this event special. Her support helps us continue creating opportunities for local kids through swim scholarships and community programs right here in El Centro. 💦

They say it takes a village—and Betty is a shining example of what it means to show up and give back to your community.

👏 Betty, thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and for helping us keep the KenDucky Derby making waves year after year!

05/06/2026

🦆❤️ SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT ❤️🦆

Let’s give a big round of applause to Jasmin Rodriguez, State Farm for stepping up as a Thoroughbred Sponsor of the 2026 KenDucky Derby! 🐎💛

At Jasmin Rodriguez State Farm, it’s all about protecting what matters most—your family, your home, your business, and your future. This office is committed to serving our community with care, knowledge, and heart. 🥹

From auto and home to life and business insurance, they help local families prepare for the unexpected—because let’s be honest… even ducks need a good insurance plan on race day! 😄

👏 Thank you, Jasmin, for your continued support, your leadership, and for always showing up for our community.

💦 Because of sponsors like you, the KenDucky Derby keeps making waves for local kids and swim scholarships!

https://www.sfagentjasmin.com/?cmpid=K2WN_blm_0001

Call State Farm Insurance Agent Jasmin Rodriguez at (760) 352-0160 for car, home, life insurance and more in El Centro, CA. See how we can help you save!

05/05/2026

🤩BECOME A SPONSOR 🤩

Are you a business owner, organization, or community leader looking to give back AND get your name out there? This is your moment!

The El Centro Kiwanis KenDucky Derby is back on May 29th at 6PM, and we’re currently looking for sponsors to be part of this fun, family-friendly event 🌊

💛 Why sponsor?Because this isn’t just about ducks… it’s about kids in our community. Proceeds go directly to the City of El Centro Aquatic Center, providing swim scholarships for children who otherwise wouldn’t have access, and supporting youth lifeguard training programs.

📣 Sponsorship Opportunities:

🐎 Stallion Sponsor – $200• Logo on event banner• Shoutouts during the event• 2 ducks (“ponies”) in the race

🐎 Thoroughbred Sponsor – $300• BIGGER logo on banner• Shoutouts during the event• 4 ducks in the race

✨ It’s a win-win: promote your business while making a real impact locally.

⏳ Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. Deadline to sponsor is May 18, 2026.

📲 Ready to join us? Contact Jasmin for details: 619-538-9185

Let’s make waves together for the kids of El Centro 💦

04/30/2026

🦆🌞 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 🌞🦆

We’re shining a BIG spotlight on Sun Community Federal Credit Union for galloping in as a Stallion Sponsor of our 2026 KenDucky Derby! 🐎💛

For over 70 years, Sun Community has been more than just a financial institution, they’re a member-owned credit union dedicated to helping our community grow, succeed, and thrive right here in the Imperial Valley.

From savings accounts to loans and financial guidance, they’re all about helping local families build their future. 🌟

💸 And let’s be honest… if these ducks needed a loan to train for the big race, Sun Community would probably get them the best rate in town!

👏 Thank you, Sun Community Federal Credit Union, for investing in our kids, and helping make waves at the KenDucky Derby!

04/28/2026

🦆🌊 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 🌊🦆

A HUGE thank you to SERVPRO of El Centro / Salton City and Andy Alvarez for stepping up as a Thoroughbred Sponsor for our 2026 KenDucky Derby! 💛

When things get a little too splashy (and not the fun duck kind), Andy and his team are the ones you call. From water damage to fire restoration, they help families and businesses get back on their feet, making it “like it never even happened.”

Basically… if our ducks ever caused real damage (they won’t… we think 😅), SERVPRO would already be on the way!

Their team is available 24/7 and passionate about helping the community when it matters most—something we truly value here in El Centro.

👏 Thank you, Andy, for supporting local kids, and making a difference beyond your business.

💦 Because of sponsors like you, this event keeps making waves!

02/05/2026

🎓 Kiwanis Educational Scholarship Program – Apply Today! 🎓

The El Centro Kiwanis Club is proud to support local students in their pursuit of higher education through our Educational Scholarship Program. In keeping with our mission of Serving the Children of the World, we are awarding $500 scholarships to deserving students in our community.

Eligibility:
Students attending:
• Southwest High School
• Central High School
• Desert Oasis High School
• Imperial High School

Application Requirements:
✔️ Personal cover letter outlining goals and aspirations
✔️ School transcript
✔️ Acceptance letter from a college, trade, or technical school
✔️ Letter of recommendation from a school staff member

🗓️ Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future!

👉 Apply here: https://forms.gle/TCRj9io3kKSyyza29

For questions, please contact us at: [email protected]