Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Newsletter | August 27th, 2026

We’re excited to host Birch Bay Derby Day this Saturday!🏁

Start your day with the Pinewood Derby, open to kids and teens ages 17 and under, from 11:00 AM–12:30 PM in front of Birch Bay Carts. There are still a few free derby cars available at our Visitor Center if you’d like to pick one up! 🏎️

Then, cruise the bay by golf cart, bike, or on foot for the last Poker Run of the season, happening from 1:00–3:00 PM. 🚲🃏

Next up, Billy Brown’s Crab Derby is from 4:00–7:00 PM in front of the Beach Bar! 🦀 Compete for the biggest Red, Monster, and Catch of the Day.

You won't want to miss the Birch Bay Duck Derby!! 🦆 Rubber Ducks will be released around 6:00 PM where Terrell Creek meets the ocean near the entrance to the berm, with the finish line at the bridge by The C Shop.🏁

You can purchase a $5 racing duck at the Birch Bay Chamber and Visitor Center, open daily from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Duck sales close at 4:00 PM Saturday.

💙 All Duck Derby proceeds benefit the new Birch Bay Library!

We hope to see you out for a full day of fun, family, and Derby Day festivities! 🦀🦆

Visit our Website for more info!

Upcoming Events:

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 coordinate 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. Learn more about Derby Day in Birch Bay on our website using the links below.

⏰ 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

📍Along Terrell Creek Across from Birch Bay Carts and Rentals

🏎️ Pinewood Derby: Build it, decorate it, race it! Join us for the first-ever Pinewood Derby at Birch Bay Derby Day.

⏰ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

📍Stops along Birch Bay Drive from Birch Bay Carts and Rental to Bay Center Market

🚲 Final Poker Run of 2026: Grab your crew and hit the road for a fun-filled Poker Run through Birch Bay!

⏰ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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

🦀 Billy Brown Crab Derby: Think you caught a winner? Bring your biggest crab and compete for prizes at this uniquely Birch Bay tradition!

⏰ 6: 00 PM

Please note: 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

🦆 Duck Derby: Purchase a duck, cheer it on, and watch it waddle, float, and race to victory—all while supporting the library!

Duck Derby Prizes!

Thank you to all of these amazing businesses that donated prizes towards our Duck Derby with all the proceeds going towards the new Birch Bay Library! These packages are AWESOME!

Ducks are $5.00 each, and you can purchase them at the following locations for a chance at one of these awesome prize packages!

Birch Bay Chamber and Visitor Center

Open 7 days a week from 10 am - 4 pm

4819 Alderson Rd Unit 103, Birch Bay, WA

Birch Bay Book Mobile Stop

Behind the C-Shop every Wednesday from 3 PM - 7 PM

Member News:

💃 Day-to-Day Dance: Fall Enrollment is open!

A message from Sabrina Gomez-Vannelli, Artistic Director & Owner of Day-to-Day Dance:

We wanted to share that open enrollment is live for our upcoming 6 week nonperformance Pre-Acro and Ballet classes! Designed for young dancers looking to build confidence, coordination, and strength, Pre-Acro and Ballet introduces fundamental of acrobatics and ballet in a safe, supportive, and playful environment. Dancers will learn ballet terminology, tumbling basics, balance, flexibility, and spatial awareness while integrating movement and dance patterns that support healthy physical development.

Class Highlights

Skills Introduced in Acro: Forward rolls, bridge preparation, handstand foundations, cartwheel progressions, and core balance exercises.

Skills Introduced in ballet: arms and fet position fundamentals, ballet movement foundations

Brain-Compatible Learning: Classes incorporate BrainDance concepts to enhance motor planning, Focus, and neurological development.

Structure: A non-competitive, high-energy environment tailored to foster self-expression, gross motor skills, and teamwork.

Enrollment Details

Location: Day-to-Day Dance Studio Ages: 3–6 years old (or beginner entry level)

Spots Available: Limited to ensure individual attention and proper spotter safety.

Spaces can fill up for our ballet, tumbling and acro programs. Secure your dancer's spot today by visiting our parent portal or clicking the link below:

https://app.gostudiopro.com/online/daytodaydance

If you have any questions please reach out directly—we are always happy to assist.

View Class Schedule

Questions about class placement or the schedule?

Contact Day-to-Day Dance at 360-393-3927 or visit www.daytodaydance.com

Learn more about Day-to-Day Dance Here!

Want to see your business featured in this section?

Members - email Danielle (director@birchbaychamber.com) or Mary Jane (info@birchbaychamber.com) by Wednesday afternoon to be included in the weekly BUZZ!

Not a Member? Become one today!

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BIRCH BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Community Conversation

about Fireworks in Birch Bay

The Birch Bay Community Advisory Committee (BBCAC) invites you to join us for our upcoming meeting on Wednesday, September 16, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Birch Bay Bible Church for a community conversation about fireworks in Birch Bay.

Established by Whatcom County Ordinance 2024-079, the BBCAC provides a formal platform for addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Birch Bay community. One of our roles is to facilitate public input on matters affecting residents, businesses, and other community stakeholders and to provide guidance and recommendations to the Whatcom County Council and Executive.

Community Conversation: Fireworks

The Whatcom County Council is currently considering revisions to the County's fireworks regulations. Among the proposed changes are:

Reducing the July fireworks discharge period from three days to one day
Prohibiting the use or discharge of fireworks within 100 feet of homes, buildings, or other structures

The County Council is seeking public engagement and feedback as it considers these changes. The BBCAC would like to hear directly from the Birch Bay community about your experiences, concerns, ideas, and suggestions.

The BBCAC did not participate in drafting the proposed ordinance, so this meeting isnot intended to provide technical answers or clarification about the proposed language. Rather, our goal is to hear from the community and better understand the perspectives, concerns, and ideas that should be shared with the County Council as it considers the proposed changes.

Whether you support, oppose, or have concerns about the proposed changes, we want to hear from you. We are particularly interested in hearing from local businesses and property owners about how fireworks impact the Birch Bay community, both positively and negatively.

Meeting Details

📅 Wednesday, September 16, 2026

⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM

📍 Birch Bay Bible Church (4460 Bay Road) - Currently, this is an in-person meeting only.

If you are unable to attend, we still want to hear from you. Please send your comments, concerns, or suggestions to bbcac@whatcomcounty.us. Your comments will be shared with the BBCAC and included as part of the community feedback received on this issue.

We hope you will join us and help ensure that the perspectives of Birch Bay's residents, businesses, and community stakeholders are part of the conversation.

Birch Bay Community Advisory Committee (BBCAC)

Visit The BBCAC Website

Partner Spotlight

Blaine Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2:

Read the AUGUST Newsletter Here

Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism

Adventure | Sightsee | Attend | Savor | Plan

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BELLINGHAM FAN ZONE FOR THIS 2026 SOCCER FUN!

CLICK FOR MORE WHATCOM COUNTY EVENTS

BELLINGHAM WHATCOM COUNTY TOURISM PHOTO CONTEST

BIRCH BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER

Located behind the C Shop in the Terrell Creek Landing Building:

4819 Alderson Rd. #103

Birch Bay, Washington 98230

(360) 371-5004

Open Daily: 10 AM - 4 PM

[www.birchbaychamber.com]

[www.birchbaywa.org]

[Birch Bay Chamber Event Calendar]

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CONNECT WITH US:

Danielle Gaughen - director@birchbaychamber.com

Sacha Sanguinetti - sacha@birchbaychamber.com

Mary Jane Thompson - info@birchbaychamber.com