An annual theme.
Costumes and silliness galore.
An offbeat parade.
A kids competition of pinebox cars.
A soapbox derby.

Kirby Derby is an invitation to be creative, to engage with your community, and to laugh out loud a lot. We have a pretty simple theory: creative expression makes people happier. Give people a reason to make something ridiculous, put on a costume, build a crazy car, or just be silly without worrying about whether it’s good, and good things tend to happen.

Kirby Derby started in 2002, when Aly and Beth Khalifa decided to make good on their wish to have a parade down Kirby Street, in the tiny little neighborhood of Pullen Park Terrace. They dubbed it Kirby Derby.

After that first year, it became an annual event that the neighborhood produced together. For the first four years, Kirby Derby was simply a parade, cocktails on the curb, and an after-party with music. It grew well beyond its initial size as the neighborhood invited friends, and friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends, to join in celebrating creative expression and homegrown fun.

In year five, the now-famous Kirby Derby “Derby” — of the soapbox variety — was added. It was still held on Kirby Street, and the Derby course included Deadman’s Curve, which is practically a 90-degree left turn. The turn became known as the most important part of the race, and cars were built to maximize left-turn-ability. There was even one car that could ONLY turn left.

The Raleigh tradition of Kirby Derby continued to grow and gather loyal fans as the years progressed. In 2017, the 16th annual Kirby Derby, the residents of Pullen Park Terrace decided to embrace the unstoppable growth and enthusiasm of Kirby Derby by moving the event to a space that could handle the bigger numbers. As a neighborhood bordering Dorothea Dix Park, they thought it only fitting to merge the excitement of the event with the excitement and beauty of this new city space. 2017 was the inaugural year of Kirby Derby at Dix Park. It’s been held in the park ever since, minus a hurricane cancellation and a couple of Covid years.

Kirby Derby is still creatively produced by a small and dedicated group of people from the Pullen Park Terrace neighborhood, all volunteers. Dix Park and the City produce the event footprint and handle the considerable logistics. This partnership makes the whole thing possible.

Kirby Derby takes about six months to plan and produce. The event is free to all and is enjoyed by spectators and participants from all over the Raleigh area — and beyond.

Pullen Park Terrace
a neighborhood that believes in neighborhoods

 Pullen Park Terrace is a small neighborhood in Raleigh, NC, comprised of just 32 homes on less than 8 total acres. We started Kirby Derby on a whim, but kept it going for over 20 years because we believe creativity is important to building community. What started as a front yard silly moment of one neighborhood and friends, has grown to a city-wide event with neighborhoods all over Raleigh representing their creative flair and friendly competitive spirit.

Pullen Park Terrace is just west of downtown Raleigh and has produced Kirby Derby since its beginning. We now work with the City of Raleigh and Dix Park Conservancy to continue to grow and share the fun. Join us! Build a car, or gather a parade group. Get creative!

Statement about Kendall Circle

Pullen Park Terrace believes that Kendall Circle (which used to be a part of the Dorothea Dix campus, but is currently a part of NC State) should be a protected natural space. As of 2023, the NC State Master Plan shows Kendall Circle being preserved as an arboretum expansion. We support this direction and continue to monitor the situation as Centennial Campus and NC State grow.
Learn more on Kendall Circle site
Follow @kendallcircleraleigh on Instagram
#ilovekendallcircle

2017 Silver Award

National Neighborhood of the Year
Social Revitalization/Neighborliness

In May 2017, Pullen Park Terrace was awarded 2nd prize nationally for Neighborhood of the Year, specifically for the project of Kirby Derby. Congratulations to everyone who has helped make Kirby Derby so special over the years.