Originally a marathon-type race for both men and women, roller derby has morphed into the all-female sport that’s making a huge comeback today. First televised in the 1950s, the sport’s popularity led to the peerlessly campy sexploitation films of the 1970s and 80s (see Racquel Welch in 1972’s Kansas City Bomber, or the perfectly cast Linda Blair in 1979’s Roller Boogie). Perhaps in a bit of a backlash the derby fell off in the last decades, until the roller rink itself began to seem like a thing of the past. Not so in this millenium. Thanks to athletes like the women who make up the Queen City Roller Girls, roller derby is now fodder for a successful reality show on A&E, with a resurgence of leagues popping up all over the country. Sunday’s final bout, the “Battle Royale,” will include all three QCRG teams—Devil Dollies, Suicidal Saucies and Nickel City Kockouts—in a round-robin format. Don’t worry if you don’t know what that means, because informative pamphlets on “How to Watch Roller Derby” explain it all, with tips like “Pick a team to root for. If not already a fan, base your decision on something completely arbitrary such as ‘‘That girl looks totally insane.’” The spirit at this event is pure adrenalin and fun, a spectator sport where spectating is the sport and where crowd-watching couldn’t get better. There are punk rock babies here, Betty Crocker look-alikes, priests and men in business suits. It’s as toungue-in-cheek as can be yet at the same time it’s one of the best family activities around. Come early enough to figure out how it all works, then get up as close as you can and cheer your head off.

Saturday, June 23 at 7pm. Rainbow Rink, 110 Oliver St., N. Tonawanda.

$10 presale-$13 at door. www.queencityrollergirls.com