The Great Ketchikan Rain Classic is a gaming fundraiser meant to excite those with an adventurous heart and charitable spirit.
Created by the local non-profit, Residential Youth Care (RYC), The Rain Classic invites visitors and locals to guess the total rainfall Ketchikan will receive in a given year. Proceeds from submitted guesses will be split between a winning jackpot and funding for RYC’s community programs (to learn more about the game’s rules, check out the FAQ below).
In 2023, RYC chose that this year’s proceeds will be going toward its upcoming youth community center, Sea Level. To learn more about the program, click here.
The Great Ketchikan Rain Classic is a gaming fundraiser meant to excite those with an adventurous heart and charitable spirit. Created by the local non-profit, Residential Youth Care (RYC), The Rain Classic invites visitors and locals to guess the total rainfall Ketchikan will receive in a given year. Proceeds from submitted guesses will be split between a winning jackpot and funding for RYC’s community programs (to learn more about the game’s rules, check out the FAQ below).
In 2023, RYC chose that this year’s proceeds will be going toward its upcoming youth community center, Sea Level. To learn more about the program, click here.
We are so excited to launch The Great Ketchikan Rain Classic! This project has been long in the making, originating as an idea over a decade ago. Every year, locals & visitors speculate about the amount of rain Ketchikan, the unofficial rain capital of the US, will receive. The Great Ketchikan Rain Classic provides an opportunity for the millions who visit our island each year to join the locals in hypothesizing the total rainfall while having fun in the tradition of classic Alaskan guessing games.
Residential Youth Care (RYC) offers a continuum of care for adolescents and their families in Ketchikan and throughout Alaska. From free drop in activities for middle schoolers to individual and family counseling to residential treatment homes, RYC is dedicated to helping youth and families so that they can live productive lives. A portion of the money spent guessing Ketchikan’s annual rainfall will be used to support our youth serving work.
I am proud to be part of this effort and invite you to support youth and families in Alaska through this fundraiser.
Take a guess and see if YOU are the winner of the first-ever Great Ketchikan Rain Classic!
Best,
Dustin Larna
Entering a guess is easy! All you need is some contact information, a rainfall estimate, and $5! Estimates must include two decimal places (example: 52.76 inches). Only those who guess the exact number will win! There is no limit to the amount of guesses one person may enter. *Terms & Conditions apply.
Below are some concise and informative answers to address the most common inquiries we receive. If you have further questions, please use the Contact Form at the bottom of the page to contact us.
Who is running the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic?
Residential Youth Care, Inc. (RYC) located in Ketchikan, Alaska is running the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic. To learn more, click here.
What happens to the money generated by the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic?
RYC uses the money generated by the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic to support community-based youth programming. In 2023, the funds will be used for SeaLevel, our new community youth center, that is anticipated to open in 2024. To learn more about our innovative design of SeaLevel, click here.
Who is measuring the amount of rain used in the Classic?
The official rain gauge is located at a NOAA weather station at the Ketchikan International Airport. In the event that the NOAA-KIA rain gauge becomes inoperable, a secondary rain gauge located on Annette Island will be used to record the final total amount of rain.
How do I find out if I won?
RYC will request rain total certification from NOAA on January 2nd and will notify the winner(s) as soon as possible. Checks will be mailed to winners within 30 days of contact. We will later release the first name and last name initial of the winner(s) on our website and social media.
What if more than one person guesses the rain total?
Should multiple people correctly guess the rain total, they will share the total jackpot with the final sum being divided equally among them.
When can I purchase rain guesses?
You can make guesses anytime between 12:00am on April 1st through 12:00am on October 1st.
Can I make an extra donation to support youth programs in Ketchikan?
Yes! All proceeds of the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic will be used to support RYC’s community-based youth programming. If you are interested in making an additional donation, please include your donation amount before completing the payment of your guesses.
Can I play if I’m not an Alaskan resident?
Yes! Anyone can play, so long as they are: at least 18 years old, are in the state of Alaska at the time of play, AND are not located in a jurisdiction that prohibits charitable gaming.
Do I need to present to win?
Nope. You only need to be physically in the state of Alaska when you play the game.
Can I purchase tickets for someone else?
Yes, but the person you are purchasing the ticket for must also be in Alaska and over the age of 18. Also, make sure to list their name under “Player” as indicated in the payment form.
How much does it cost to play?
Only $5 per guess! Literally less than a latte.
Is there a limit to the number of guesses I can make?
There is no limit to the number of guesses you can make. However, submitting the same guess multiple times will not increase the portion you may receive from the
jackpot.
Can I pay by cash or check?
No, we are unable to receive and process cash or check payments at the moment. We hope to offer this option in the future.
Will I need to pay sales tax?
Nope. Alaska does not have a state sales tax. Also, as a non-profit, RYC is exempt from local taxes.
How do I find out what the total jackpot is?
We will have the running total jackpot listed on this homepage and will periodically share totals on our social media page. The total jackpot is dependent upon the total number of submitted guesses. The sum will/may differ from year to year.
How do I find out more about RYC’s SeaLevel community youth center?
Click here to learn more about how we are supporting young people in Ketchikan.
How do I find out more about Alaska Gaming Rules & Regulations?
Check out the Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs to learn more about Alaska Gaming Rules & Regulations.
Who is running the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic?
Residential Youth Care, Inc. (RYC) located in Ketchikan, Alaska is running the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic. To learn more, click here.
What happens to the money generated by the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic?
RYC uses the money generated by the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic to support community-based youth programming. In 2023, the funds will be used for SeaLevel, our new community youth center, that is anticipated to open in 2024. To learn more about our innovative design of SeaLevel, click here.
Who is measuring the amount of rain used in the Classic?The official rain gauge is located at a NOAA weather station at the Ketchikan International Airport. In the event that the NOAA-KIA rain gauge becomes inoperable, a secondary rain gauge located on Annette Island will be used to record the final total amount of rain.
How do I find out if I won?
RYC will request rain total certification from NOAA on January 2nd and will notify the winner(s) as soon as possible. Checks will be mailed to winners within 30 days of contact. We will later release the first name and last name initial of the winner(s) on our website and social media.
What if more than one person guesses the rain total?
Should multiple people correctly guess the rain total, they will share the total jackpot with the final sum being divided equally among them.
When can I purchase rain guesses?
You can make guesses anytime between 12:00am on April 1st through 12:00am on October 1st.
Can I make an extra donation to support youth programs in Ketchikan?
Yes! All proceeds of the Great Ketchikan Rain Classic will be used to support RYC’s community-based youth programming. If you are interested in making an additional donation, please include your donation amount before completing the payment of your guesses.
Can I play if I’m not an Alaskan resident?
Yes! Anyone can play, so long as they are: at least 18 years old, are in the state of Alaska at the time of play, AND are not located in a jurisdiction that prohibits charitable gaming.
Do I need to present to win?
Nope. You only need to be physically in the state of Alaska when you play the game.
Can I purchase tickets for someone else?
Yes, but the person you are purchasing the ticket for must also be in Alaska and over the age of 18. Also, make sure to list their name under “Player” as indicated in the payment form.
How much does it cost to play?
Only $5 per guess! Literally less than a latte.
Is there a limit to the number of guesses I can make?
There is no limit to the number of guesses you can make. However, submitting the same guess multiple times will not increase the portion you may receive from the
jackpot.
Can I pay by cash or check?
No, we are unable to receive and process cash or check payments at the moment. We hope to offer this option in the future.
Will I need to pay sales tax?
Nope. Alaska does not have a state sales tax. Also, as a non-profit, RYC is exempt from local taxes.
How do I find out what the total jackpot is?
We will have the running total jackpot listed on this homepage and will periodically share totals on our social media page. The total jackpot is dependent upon the total number of submitted guesses. The sum will/may differ from year to year.
How do I find out more about RYC’s SeaLevel community youth center?
Click here to learn more about how we are supporting young people in Ketchikan.
How do I find out more about Alaska Gaming Rules & Regulations?
Check out the Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs to learn more about Alaska Gaming Rules & Regulations.
The Great Ketchikan Rain Classic is a program by the Residential Youth Care (RYC), a nonprofit organization that provides behavioral health and prevention services for young people in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Gaming Permit #1564
This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. Cookies Policy.
