Upcoming Events
Kitsap Destruction Derby
Kitsap Destruction Derby: High-Octane Havoc at Thunderbird Arena
Experience the raw power and metal-crunching excitement of the Kitsap Destruction Derby, a legendary community tradition held at the historic Thunderbird Arena. Whether you are a lifelong local or an international visitor looking for an authentic slice of American motorsport, the derby delivers an unscripted, "last-car-standing" spectacle that you won't find anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest.
What to Expect:
The Venue: Cheer from the covered grandstands of the Thunderbird Arena, a storied venue that has hosted massive crowds for over 60 years.
Full-Contact Action: Watch as drivers navigate a field of chaos where the only goal is survival and the roar of the engines fills the Bremerton night.
Community Heritage: This event is a cornerstone of the Kitsap Fairgrounds, contributing to an annual attendance of over 211,000 visitors across the complex.
Family-Friendly Thrills: Much like the annual Kitsap Fair and Rodeo, the Destruction Derby is designed to be a safe, fun, and innovative experience for fans of all ages.
Plan Your Visit:
Location: Conveniently located at the Kitsap Fairgrounds, 1300 NW Fairgrounds Rd., Bremerton, WA 98311.
A Local Powerhouse: The event is part of the mission of the Kitsap Fair & Stampede Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving traditions and providing premier entertainment for the West Sound area.
Gates Open: 2:30 pm
Time Trials & Tech: 4:00 pm
Racing Approximately: 5:00 pm
Don't just watch the action—feel the impact! Join us at the arena where "Tradition is Raised," and champions are crowned in a cloud of smoke and dirt.
Monster Trucks
Monster Trucks at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds is an exciting event that is fun for the motorheads of all ages in your family! Visit with pro tour drivers, photo opportunities with vehicles and you can even sign up to ride in one of these legendary Monster Trucks!
Kitsap Destruction Derby
Kitsap Destruction Derby: High-Octane Havoc at Thunderbird Arena
Experience the raw power and metal-crunching excitement of the Kitsap Destruction Derby, a legendary community tradition held at the historic Thunderbird Arena. Whether you are a lifelong local or an international visitor looking for an authentic slice of American motorsport, the derby delivers an unscripted, "last-car-standing" spectacle that you won't find anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest.
What to Expect:
The Venue: Cheer from the covered grandstands of the Thunderbird Arena, a storied venue that has hosted massive crowds for over 60 years.
Full-Contact Action: Watch as drivers navigate a field of chaos where the only goal is survival and the roar of the engines fills the Bremerton night.
Community Heritage: This event is a cornerstone of the Kitsap Fairgrounds, contributing to an annual attendance of over 211,000 visitors across the complex.
Family-Friendly Thrills: Much like the annual Kitsap Fair and Rodeo, the Destruction Derby is designed to be a safe, fun, and innovative experience for fans of all ages.
Plan Your Visit:
Location: Conveniently located at the Kitsap Fairgrounds, 1300 NW Fairgrounds Rd., Bremerton, WA 98311.
A Local Powerhouse: The event is part of the mission of the Kitsap Fair & Stampede Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving traditions and providing premier entertainment for the West Sound area.
Gates Open: 2:30 pm
Time Trials & Tech: 4:00 pm
Racing Approximately: 5:00 pm
Don't just watch the action—feel the impact! Join us at the arena where "Tradition is Raised," and champions are crowned in a cloud of smoke and dirt.
Kitsap Rock & Blues Music Festival
The Kitsap Blues Music Festival (often referred to as Kitsap Bluesfest) is an annual outdoor summer festival held at the Kitsap Fairgrounds in Bremerton, Washington.
Presented as a collaboration between the Admiral Theatre Foundation and the Kitsap Fair & Stampede Association, this event is typically held over Labor Day Weekend.
Event Highlights
World-Class Lineups: The festival features a diverse mix of nationally touring rhythm and blues artists. Past headliners have included Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Eric Gales.
Age Requirement: This is strictly a 21+ only event.
On-Site Amenities: The festival offers RV and tent camping for those looking to stay the entire weekend.
Food & Drink: Attendees can enjoy a variety of food vendors, including BBQ, along with beer, wine, and cocktail gardens.
Live Jam Stage: In addition to the main stage, the festival often includes a 'Jam Stage' where attending artists can participate in impromptu performances.
Planning Your Visit
Location: Kitsap Fairgrounds, 1200 Fairgrounds Rd NW, Bremerton, WA 98311.
Ticketing: Options generally include weekend passes or single-day tickets for both General Admission and VIP tiers.
Seating: While VIP tickets often include provided seating, General Admission attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding or camp chairs.
Prohibited Items: No outside food or beverages are permitted.
Note: While the 2026 Kitsap Fair is scheduled for August 26-30, official dates for the 2026 Bluesfest are traditionally set for the following Labor Day Weekend.
Kitsap Fair & Stampede
The Kitsap Fair & Stampede is a premier 5-day community celebration in Bremerton, WA, that blends over a century of agricultural tradition with high-energy professional rodeo. Governed by a non-profit association, the event is dedicated to providing safe, innovative, and educational entertainment for the West Sound area.
2026 Event Details
Dates: August 26–30, 2026.
Location: Kitsap Fairgrounds, 1300 NW Fairgrounds Rd., Bremerton, WA 98311.
Mission: To preserve local traditions while fostering community understanding of livestock and equine pursuits.
Major Attractions
The Kitsap Stampede & Xtreme Bulls
Held at the historic Thunderbird Arena, the Stampede features top-tier PRCA rodeo action, including bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling.
Special Nights: Traditional themed evenings often include "Tough Enough to Wear Pink," "Patriot Night," and "Military Appreciation".
Xtreme Bulls: A high-stakes standalone event featuring the world’s top bull riders.
Exhibits & Livestock
The Fair serves as a vital showcase for 4-H and FFA youth to display their knowledge in animal husbandry and "still life" projects like photography, sewing, and plant sciences.
Livestock: Barns feature cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, and llamas.
Still Life: Located in the President's Hall, showcasing competitive entries in arts, crafts, and culinary skills.
Fairgrounds Entertainment
Carnival: A full-scale carnival with rides and games for all ages.
Motorsports: The arena hosts popular events like the Demolition Derby and monster truck shows.
Community Events: The association hosts off-season fundraisers such as the "Boots, Buckles, and Bling" auction.
Historical Significance
First held in 1923 in Port Orchard, the Fair moved to its current Bremerton home in 1958. It celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023, while the Stampede marked 75 years of rodeo in 2024. Today, the complex sees an overall annual attendance of more than 211,000 visitors across its various events.
Kitsap Destruction Derby
Kitsap Destruction Derby: High-Octane Havoc at Thunderbird Arena
Experience the raw power and metal-crunching excitement of the Kitsap Destruction Derby, a legendary community tradition held at the historic Thunderbird Arena. Whether you are a lifelong local or an international visitor looking for an authentic slice of American motorsport, the derby delivers an unscripted, "last-car-standing" spectacle that you won't find anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest.
What to Expect:
The Venue: Cheer from the covered grandstands of the Thunderbird Arena, a storied venue that has hosted massive crowds for over 60 years.
Full-Contact Action: Watch as drivers navigate a field of chaos where the only goal is survival and the roar of the engines fills the Bremerton night.
Community Heritage: This event is a cornerstone of the Kitsap Fairgrounds, contributing to an annual attendance of over 211,000 visitors across the complex.
Family-Friendly Thrills: Much like the annual Kitsap Fair and Rodeo, the Destruction Derby is designed to be a safe, fun, and innovative experience for fans of all ages.
Plan Your Visit:
Location: Conveniently located at the Kitsap Fairgrounds, 1300 NW Fairgrounds Rd., Bremerton, WA 98311.
A Local Powerhouse: The event is part of the mission of the Kitsap Fair & Stampede Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving traditions and providing premier entertainment for the West Sound area.
Gates Open: 2:30 pm
Time Trials & Tech: 4:00 pm
Racing Approximately: 5:00 pm
Don't just watch the action—feel the impact! Join us at the arena where "Tradition is Raised," and champions are crowned in a cloud of smoke and dirt.
Joel Gibson, Jr. concert
joel gibson, jr. live at the kitsap fairgrounds
Get ready for a night of Pacific Northwest country rock with Joel Gibson Jr., a Silverdale, Washington-based Nashville recording artist known for powerful vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and high-energy live performances.
Known as the “Eclectic Outlaw,” Joel blends country, Southern rock, soul, and Americana grit into a sound that feels right at home in Kitsap County. With more than 1,000 live performances, multiple Washington State Independent Music Awards, and Northwest Country Music Association honors including Entertainer of the Year, Joel has become one of the region’s most recognized independent country artists.
For Washingtonians — and especially Kitsap locals — this is more than just a concert. Joel’s roots run deep in the area, and his music reflects the working-class, small-town, coastal, and country influences that make the Pacific Northwest unique. Whether you’ve followed him for years or are catching his show for the first time, this is a chance to see one of Kitsap’s own take the stage.
Event Details
Tickets: $10 each
Admission: Tickets available at the gate only
Age Restriction: 21 years and up only
Kitsap Destruction Derby
Kitsap Destruction Derby: High-Octane Havoc at Thunderbird Arena
Experience the raw power and metal-crunching excitement of the Kitsap Destruction Derby, a legendary community tradition held at the historic Thunderbird Arena. Whether you are a lifelong local or an international visitor looking for an authentic slice of American motorsport, the derby delivers an unscripted, "last-car-standing" spectacle that you won't find anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest.
What to Expect:
The Venue: Cheer from the covered grandstands of the Thunderbird Arena, a storied venue that has hosted massive crowds for over 60 years.
Full-Contact Action: Watch as drivers navigate a field of chaos where the only goal is survival and the roar of the engines fills the Bremerton night.
Community Heritage: This event is a cornerstone of the Kitsap Fairgrounds, contributing to an annual attendance of over 211,000 visitors across the complex.
Family-Friendly Thrills: Much like the annual Kitsap Fair and Rodeo, the Destruction Derby is designed to be a safe, fun, and innovative experience for fans of all ages.
Plan Your Visit:
Location: Conveniently located at the Kitsap Fairgrounds, 1300 NW Fairgrounds Rd., Bremerton, WA 98311.
A Local Powerhouse: The event is part of the mission of the Kitsap Fair & Stampede Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving traditions and providing premier entertainment for the West Sound area.
Don't just watch the action—feel the impact! Join us at the arena where "Tradition is Raised" and champions are crowned in a cloud of smoke and dirt.
Boots, Buckles & Bling
Kick Up Your Heels for a Cause: The 2026 Boots, Buckles, and Bling Auction
Dust off your best western attire and join the community at President's Hall on April 25, 2026, for an unforgettable evening of tradition and philanthropy. The Boots, Buckles, and Bling event is a premier celebration designed to raise vital funds for the Kitsap Fair & Stampede Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving agricultural and equine heritage.
Event Highlights:
Dining: Enjoy a hearty steak dinner provided by the 19th Hole Bar & Grill.
Auctions: Participate in both Silent & Live Auctions featuring unique items and experiences.
Atmosphere: Experience a night of community traditions where western attire is highly encouraged.
Schedule: The festivities run from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
RSVP is required to attend this "kick up your heels" fundraiser. For more information or to secure your spot, contact the association at 360.620.9351.