The 12th Annual Ithaca Rotary Road Rally is set for Sunday, September 7, 2025, starting at Maguire Imports. Teams follow clues on a 30-mile scenic route, solving riddles, collecting items, and taking photos before finishing at a mystery location by 4 PM. Prizes include grants to local nonprofits and awards for team spirit. Open to all, proceeds support the James L. Gibbs Scholarship Fund and local youth programs. Register online and enjoy a fun, community-driven adventure!
If you love scenic drives, a little friendly competition, and the thrill of solving clues on the go, then circle Sunday, September 7, 2025 on your calendar! The 12th Annual Ithaca Rotary Road Rally is back! This FUNdraising tradition combines the joy of a leisurely Sunday drive with the excitement of a scavenger hunt, all while raising money for a great cause.
Whether you’re a puzzle master, a backroads enthusiast, or just looking for a fun afternoon with friends and family, this is your chance to hit the road for adventure and community spirit.
How It Works
This isn’t your average Sunday drive. Teams will follow a series of clues through 30 or so miles of Tompkins County’s most picturesque country roads, discovering hidden gems along the way.
Along your journey, you’ll be tasked with:
- Answering riddles
- Snapping team photos
- Collecting scavenger hunt items
It’s part brains, part teamwork, and part creativity, with plenty of laughs in between.
When the checkered flag waves at the “mystery” finish line, you’ll be ready to relax with prizes, drinks, and dinner (pay on your own). But don’t dawdle. All cars must cross the finish line by 4:00 PM to be eligible for prizes.
Event Details
- Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
- Check-in: Between 1:00 and 2:00 PM (all cars on course by 2:00 PM)
- Starting Line: Maguire Imports, 370 Elmira Road, Ithaca (next to McDonald’s)
- Cost: $25 per adult | $10 for ages 12–18 | Free for kids 11 & under
- Registration: Register online now to secure your spot!
Proceeds benefit the James L. Gibbs Ithaca High School scholarship fund and other local youth programs supported by the Ithaca Rotary Club.
The Prizes and the Payoff
One of the most unique parts of the Ithaca Rotary Road Rally? When you win, your favorite local nonprofit wins too!
All teams that finish on time have a shot at winning:
- First Place: $500 grant to the local nonprofit of your choice
- Second Place: $250 grant to a local nonprofit
- Random Drawing (from all finishing cars): $250 grant to a local nonprofit
Plus, there are additional prizes for:
- Team Spirit: Break out the costumes, decorate your car, and show off your creativity!
- Top Scores: For mileage, time, correct clues, scavenger hunt items, and photos.
It’s a win-win! You have a blast, and the local organizations you care about benefit.
Who Can Participate?
The Road Rally is open to everyone. Friends, families, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone looking for a good time.
- Minimum: 2 people per team
- Maximum: However many can safely fit in your vehicle
Kids are welcome too (and at just $10 each for ages 12–18, it’s a family-friendly bargain).
Why You Should Join
There are plenty of reasons to rev up your engine for the Rotary Road Rally, but here are our top three:
- It’s the ultimate mix of fun and challenge. Whether you’re solving a tricky riddle, finding that elusive scavenger hunt item, or figuring out the perfect route, the Road Rally will keep you engaged from start to finish.
- The scenery is unbeatable. September is the perfect time to enjoy Tompkins County’s winding backroads, rolling hills, and late-summer views.
- You’re helping the community. Proceeds go directly toward scholarships for local students and youth programs, so every mile you drive makes a difference.
What to Bring
- A reliable vehicle (and a full tank of gas!)
- A teammate or two (or more!)
- A smartphone or camera for photo challenges
- A sense of adventure and maybe a fun costume if you’re going for the team spirit award
Event Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
Want to get your business or organization involved? Sponsorships are available, offering a great way to support the cause and get your name in front of a fun-loving, community-minded audience. Contact perri.lopinto@gmail.com for details.
Join the Rally!
Don’t let another year pass you by! The Ithaca Rotary Road Rally is one of those events you’ll talk about long after it’s over. From the moment you roll out of Maguire Imports to the excitement of crossing the finish line, it’s a day packed with laughs, discoveries, and community pride.
Register online now to save your spot, and get ready to put the “fun” in fundraising this September. The road is calling — will you answer?
Questions?
Contact: JeanMcPheeters@gmail.com
Child registration payments (ages 12–18) can be made at check-in.
Proceeds benefit: The James L. Gibbs Ithaca High School scholarship fund and other local youth programs.