Birch Bay Derby Day returns this weekend

Birch Bay Derby Day is back Saturday, August 31 for a day full of crab derbies, rubber duck races, a library fun run/walk and more.

The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce will hold its last large event of the summer from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend at several locations around Birch Bay.

The day will start with Friends of Birch Bay Library’s 2nd annual “Love Your Library Fun Run and Walk” fundraiser on the Birch Bay Berm. The fun run starts at Cottonwood Beach, which is north of Bay Center Market. Registration costs $25 for the 1.6-mile (one-way) or 3.2-mile (roundtrip) fun run, including a T-shirt. The event is stroller, wheelchair and dog friendly.

After the fun run, there will be a pancake breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the library express location, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. The library will have story time at 10 a.m. and kids activities until 2 p.m. A book sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rubber ducks for the afternoon duck derby will be sold from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library and Birch Bay Visitor Information Center, 4819 Alderson Road, unit 103.

The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce will hold a poker run along Birch Bay Drive 1-3 p.m. Participants will travel across Birch Bay by golf cart, bicycle or foot in search of getting the best five-card poker hand to win prizes. Registration is required.

Billy Brown’s annual crab derby will take place 3-6 p.m. in front of the Beach Bar, 7876 Birch Bay Drive. Brown, an active Birch Bay resident, will weigh crabs and give out crabbing-related prizes for heaviest catch limit, heaviest single crab and the largest red rock crab. Winners will be announced just after 6 p.m.

The rubber duck derby will start at 4:30 p.m. at Terrell Creek. Rubber ducks that participants can purchase for $5 each will float to the C Shop, where volunteers will attempt to catch them. Prizes will be given to the first 10 ducks caught as well as the last place duck, or the “slacker quacker.” Prizes include a Kona bike from the Birch Bay Bike Shop, Seahawks tickets and Mariners tickets.

“The ducks are always fun and entertaining,” said Sacha Sanguinetti, Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce event coordinator. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone leave without a smile on their face. It’s a great exclamation point to the end of the summer.”

Sanguinetti said the chamber was unable to hold the derby day parade this year due to cost and permitting. To register for events, visit the chamber website at birchbaywa.org/birch-bay-derby-day.