The Kiplingcotes Derby originated in 1519 in Britain, earning the title of Britain’s oldest horse race. Now, over 500 years later, this horse derby still takes place annually on the third Thursday of March. The term “derby” itself is widely thought to originate from an Earl of Derby, who started his own horse race almost 300 years after the Kiplingcotes. Since that early use of the term, derbies morphed into other forms and can be found all over the world. From football derbies to ducky derbies to fishing derbies, there’s a derby out there for everyone to enjoy. Here are some of the best derbies around the North Sound!
Birch Bay Derby Day
Photograph courtesy of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce
Coming up on Aug. 23, this year’s Birch Bay Derby Day (previously called Discover Birch Bay Days) promises a fun-filled day of community, culinary delights, and family-friendly competition—all benefitting the Friends of Birch Bay Library.
Photograph courtesy of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce
Whether you’re in it for the adrenaline rush of the Love Your Library Fun Run & Walk or the gambling rush of the Poker Run, want to show off your crab-catching prowess at the Billy Brown Crab Derby, or prefer to “quack on” your rubber ducky (if you can remember which one of the 6-700 it is!) from the sidelines at the Duck Derby, there’s a race for everyone. And there’s great food and plenty of vendor booths to check out in between competitions.
So come on down, put on your best game face, and get ready to win awesome prizes—previous years’ winners have nabbed everything from gift cards to local eateries to day passes for local activities!
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Trout Derby
This is the 10th year that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting its annual statewide Trout Derby, and it’s going to be no small affair. Beginning on April 26 and running through Oct. 31, the derby is sponsored by more than 100 businesses throughout the state, with prizes exceeding combined value of $54,000.
“It was created to help motivate people to get out and enjoy the fishing opportunities in Washington,” says WDFW Communications Consultant Michael Foster to Cascadia Daily News.
Lake Erie, Sixteen Lake, and Lake McMurray are representing Skagit County, and Lake Padden is representing Whatcom County. The derby trout are recognizable by a WDFW orange tag near the dorsal fin. If you catch one, make sure to fill out the form online and collect your prize! Anacortes, Conway, Arlington, Bellingham, wdfw.wa.gov
Bellingham Roller Betties Roller Derby
Photograph courtesy of Bellingham Roller Betties and Bellingham Media Group
The Bellingham Roller Betties’ slogan, “Breaking Hearts and Body Parts,” pretty much sums up the energy this roller derby brings to the city. Five different teams compete under the Roller Betties umbrella.
Ranked 55th out of 99 teams in the North America West region at the time of writing, the Bellingham All-Stars are a competitive Women’s Flat Track Derby Association team.
Photograph courtesy of Bellingham Roller Betties and Bellingham Media Group
The Cog Blockers are a team of fierce and unified individuals that band together against their opponents.
Team FLASH (Formidable League of Amazing Super Heroes) is full of seasoned veterans and newcomers, with “lightning fast reflexes” and “legs of steel.”
Tough Love and the Grit Pit put their best foot forward to ensure that they are some of the toughest derby teams out there.
Photograph courtesy of Bellingham Roller Betties and Bellingham Media Group
The Roller Betties’ 2025 season ran from March 1-June 28, featuring five double-header bouts where the Roller Betties’ teams faced off against neighboring leagues and each other. There was even a themed bout: “Lord of the Rinks”! In 2026, the Bellingham Roller Betties will ring in their 18th season—head on over to their website to check them out! Bellingham, bellinghamrollerbetties.com
Northwest Washington Fair Demolition Derby
Photograph courtesy of the Northwest Washington Fair
The Demolition Derby is a local summer favorite, and it’s back for 2025! The derby will take place on the first two nights of the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden, Aug. 7-8, starting at 7 p.m.
The point of a demolition derby is to be the last car standing! Cars crash and parts fly while skilled drivers battle it out. This event is open to all ages, as long as you’re up for some good ol’ fashion destruction.
Photograph courtesy of the Northwest Washington Fair
The demo derby is organized by the Whatcom Demo Derby Club, a passionate group of locals who love the action, pageantry, and destruction of demo derbies. They’re also organizing a September Derby on Sept. 13 at the Sumas Rodeo Ground.
Tickets for the Northwest Washington Fair Demo Derby can be purchased at nwwafair.com, the fair’s office, or by phone. VIP and group tickets are also available. Don’t miss out on a thrilling night of demolition derby fun! 1775 Front St., Lynden, 360.354.4111, nwwafair.com
Howard Bowen Youth Fishing Derby
Photograph courtesy of The American Legion Sumas Memorial Post #212
Do you have children in your life looking to join derbies as well? Luckily there are specific derbies just for kids! Every year, the American Legion hosts the Howard Bowen youth fishing derby at Howard Bowen Park in Sumas. Taking place in early June, this derby is completely free and has two separate classes for boys and girls ages 4-8 and 9-13.There are prizes for the largest fish caught as well as the first, second, and third fish caught. Check out the 52nd Howard Bowen youth fishing derby in 2026 to enroll! Sumas, cityofsumas.com
Honorable Mention: Lummi Island Reefnet Festival
Photograph courtesy of The Salish Center for Sustainable Fishing Methods
Our honorable mention isn’t technically a derby. Rather than focusing on competitive fishing, the Lummi Island Reefnet Festival celebrates the traditional reefnetting practices of the Lummi people. This year’s fest is on Aug. 16 at the Salish Center for Sustainable Fishing Methods, which organizes the festival with the goal of educating folks on this ancient practice, still practiced today in the waters around Lummi! Reefnetting is widely considered one of the most sustainable ways to farm salmon, as it involves carefully netting salmon under expert supervision.
Photograph courtesy of The Salish Center for Sustainable Fishing Methods
At the festival, enjoy fresh reefnet-caught salmon, other delicious foods and a beer garden, live music from bands The Walrus and Lost at Last, arts and crafts, educational booths, and even boatrides out to the reefnet gears to see how the practice works! This all-day, all-ages affair is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, engage in local culture, and learn about protecting our salmon and waters. Lummi Island, salishcenter.org
