You know you’re in the heart of crab country when more than 8000 people descend upon a small watermen’s town to watch hundreds of Maryland blue crabs race one another. And mind you, this isn’t some wacky flash-in-the pan tourist trap idea. It’s a 70-year tradition in
Crisfield, MD, the self-proclaimed Crab Capital of the World.
What’s that you say? You’re not familiar with racing crabs? Then we suggest you high tail it over to Somerset County Labor Day Weekend,
August 31 to September 3. There you will find a festival like no other. It all began in 1947 as a low- key race in the street in front of the local post office. Now the main event features 400 crabs, racing in heats of 50, vying for the fastest time and a place in the history books in the National Hard Crab Derby.
Just prior to each heat the crabs, each identified by a number painted on its shell, are lined up in a holding area. As the race begins, the crabs are let loose on a wet track, which is a slanted platform painted light blue. The first crab to reach the end of the platform is the winner of the heat. The racing begins with the coveted Governor’s Cup Race, named for J. Millard Tawes, governor of Maryland from 1959 to 1967, and a native of Crisfield. This race is followed by the Hard Crab Derby. Bleacher seating is available.
The community pulls out all the stops to celebrate the Maryland blue crab, a crustacean which has been at the heart of the community’s economy for as long as anyone can remember. It all gets underway Thursday evening at
Somers Cove Marina, when the grounds open at 6 p.m. for the carnival, which will run through Sunday. The Miss Crustacean Pageant begins at 7 p.m. at the high school.
You may chuckle at the name, but the pageant is a big deal locally, with a Little Miss and Mister pageant the following day. Most of Friday is devoted to the crab cooking and picking contests. Cooking contest deadline for entries is August 27. Prizes range from $50 to $100. Saturday morning kicks off with a 10K race, the Lions Club swim meet, and a parade down Main Street. Saturday afternoon is all about racing crabs, and there’ll be live music by Eric Karge in the evening. There will also be Smith Island Crab Skiff Races Saturday afternoon.
Sunday the fun continues with an incredible boat docking contest. Only real working watermen with a work boat may compete. Tickets are $15 at the gate. Prizes vary each year but can reach as much as $30,000. Registration, which takes place the morning of the event, is free. Watermen compete in seven classes. Sunday ends with a gospel choir performance and fireworks. Learn more at
nationalhardcrabderby.com.