There is no better way to wrap up summer than with a day in Birch Bay! What began many years ago as “Discover Birch Bay Days” has evolved into Derby Day, a celebration of the people, places, businesses and experiences that make Birch Bay such a special place to visit.

The Chamber is helping bring a full day of fun to the community with events and activities happening throughout the weekend, including the Billy Brown Crab Derby, Duck Derby, and other family-friendly festivities.

But you don’t have to participate in an event to enjoy Derby Day. Consider it your excuse to spend a day exploring and enjoying Birch Bay your way. Take a slow walk along the berm, zip around the bay in a golf card, paddleboard or kayak, grab a bite with a view, enjoy a sunset dinner, or relax with an ice-cold craft beer from our local brewery or 5-Star-Dive-Bar.

Cover for the Derby Day fun. Stay for everything else Birch Bay has to offer 🌊🦀🦆☀️

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Pinewood derby with friends of the birch bay library

Ready to race? Register today and start building your car!

⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM*

📍Across from Birch Bay Carts & Rentals at Alderson Road and Birch Bay Drive

Get ready to race at the 1st Annual Pinewood Derby Race! This event is sponsored by Friends of the Birch Bay Library, this fun, family-friendly event invites kids and teens ages17 and under to build, decorate and race their very own Pinewood Derby Car. 

A limited number of free Pinewood Derby car kits will be available beginning August 15, 2026, while supplies last.

Kits can be picked up at:

  • Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce during open hours (daily 10 AM – 4 PM)
  • Birch Bay Bookmobile on Wednesdays (3 PM – 7 PM)

Decorate your car however you’d like using paint, stickers and your imagination. Don’t forget to add a number to your car!

Registration is FREE, but required.

The race will be a fun Round Robin-style competition, with medals awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

The last poker run of 2026!

⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

📍Stops along Birch Bay Drive from Birch Bay Carts & Rentals to The Bay Center Market

WHAT IS A POKER RUN?

Our Birch Bay Poker Run is a fun, family-friendly, all ages event where teams travel between local checkpoints by bicycle, golf cart, or on foot, collecting playing cards along the way ♣️ 🚲 🌊 

The goal is to build the best 5-card poker hand for a chance to win prizes!

This free, non-gambling event is a great way to explore Birch Bay, connect with local businesses, and enjoy a day of summer fun with friends and family.

Special thanks to John & Birch Bay Bike Shop for helping keep our riders rolling! 🚲

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Billy Brown’s Annual Crab Derby 🦀

⏰ Judging 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

📍7876 Birch Bay Drive | In front of The Beach Bar

Get ready for a Birch Bay tradition that’s all about crabs, competition, and fun! The Billy Brown Crab Derby is a family-friendly event open to all ages, giving crabbers of all experience levels a chance to show off their catch and compete for prizes.

Named for Billy Brown, a local realtor, longtime Birch Bay Chamber member, and enthusiastic crabbing fan, the derby celebrates one of Birch Bay’s favorite pastimes: crabbing!

Participants can compete in categories including Rockin’ Red, Biggest Catch Limit, and Monster Crab. All crabs must be legally harvested according to WDFW rules and regulations, and participants must have a valid crabbing license and completed catch card.

Check out the event rules and prize categories in the graphics below, and come join the fun! 🦀🏆

A special thank you to Billy Brown for bringing his passion for crabbing and his love of Birch Bay to this fun community event!

Birch Bay’s Annual Duck Derby

2026 Prizes

🦆 Get Your Ducks in a Row for the Duck Derby!

⏰ Approximately 6:00 PM
The duck drop is entirely dependent on the tide, so timing may vary slightly depending on conditions and weather

📍 Finish Line: Birch Bay Drive Bridge, just north of The C Shop

Get ready for one quack-tastic race! Numbered rubber ducks will be released near the mouth of Terrell Creek, where they’ll ride the current toward the finish line at the Birch Bay Drive Bridge just north of The C Shop.

And while the ducks are racing to victory, our volunteers will be waiting at the finish line to round up the runners before they make a break for it! 😂🦆🌊

🎟️ Get your duck tickets at:

  • Birch Bay Visitor Information Center
    4819 Alderson Rd. #103
    Daily, 10 AM – 4 PM
  • Birch Bay Bookmobile Stop
    Behind The C Shop Candy Shop
    Wednesdays, 3 PM – 7 PM

Best of all, this quack-filled event supports Friends of the Birch Bay Library! 📚🦆

Name your duck. Cheer it on. Hope it doesn’t get cold feet. And may the fastest duck win! 🏆

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS AND PARTNERS:

Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2 Logo
Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery Logo
Whatcom County Logo

COUNT DOWN TO 2026’s DERBY DAY IN BIRCH BAY!