The first weekend of August brings a slew of festivities to Birch Bay: the Poker Run, Sand Sculpture Competition and Rollback Weekend Car Show, hosted by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce with Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 and other sponsors.
On Friday, July 31, there will be the second Poker Run of the summer from 5 to 7 p.m. This non-gambling family-friendly event invites teams to walk, bike or golf cart through Birch Bay to collect six large playing cards. The goal is to make the best 5-card poker hand for an opportunity to earn prizes. Teams must register beforehand, and space is limited to 104 teams.
The six stops will be at businesses along Birch Bay Drive, including Beach Cat Brewing Co., Bay Center Market/Baywood Coffee and Birch Bay Vogt Library Express.
Register to participate in the Poker Run at /bit.ly/4wKrI6w.
On Saturday, Aug. 1, will be the 43rd annual Sand Sculpture Competition, a highly-anticipated summer tradition at Birch Bay Beach Park, 7930 Birch Bay Drive. The event drew about 3,000 people last year and includes family and kids divisions.
Participants may register and check in at 9 a.m., and building will likely start around 10:30 a.m., depending on the timing of the tide. Judging will begin in the afternoon, around 2 to 2:30 p.m. Before the event closes at 5 p.m., there will be an award ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
Attendees can stop by the WECU booth to pick up voting tokens to vote in the WECU’s People Choice Awards.
Those who choose to ride the bus to the event with Whatcom Transportation Authority may collect a prize from the Birch Bay Visitor Information Center booth while supplies last. This is a standard WTA route and regular fares apply.
Visit birchbaywa.org/birch-bay-sand-sculpture-competition/ to view the bus schedule and for the registration link to participate in the competition.
Finishing off the weekend will be the 12th annual Rollback Weekend Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 2, also at Birch Bay Beach Park. Registration and check-in start at 7 a.m., and the show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All cars must stay in place for the duration of the event, and rollout begins at 3:30 p.m.
The car show is limited to 150 vehicles. Preregistration costs $25 and same day registration costs $30. Preregistration closes Friday, July 31, and is available at bit.ly/4fpz0FX.
Both Saturday and Sunday, there will be a beer garden open for those aged 21 and older, as well as live music and food trucks, which will open at 11 a.m.
“We are excited to welcome both longtime participants and first-time visitors to Birch Bay Beach Park for two of our community’s most cherished summer events,” said Sacha Sanguinetti, event coordinator for the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce in a news release. “From the creativity of the Sand Sculpture Competition to the nostalgia and community atmosphere of Rollback Weekend, there is something for everyone.”
