Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge

The Crab is King at this one-of-a-kind event that?s fun for the whole family!

The Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge was named to TripAdvisor.com’s 2010 list of the Wackiest Summer Events in America and to the New York Daily News 2012 list of the top 10 Wackiest Festivals in the WORLD. In 2012, a film crew from the popular BBC children?s show ?All Over the Place,? broadcast in Scotland, filmed the event.

Registration begins at 9:30am and all participants must be registered by NOON in order to race.

Preliminary hermit crab races lead to the Crustacean 500, where the winner is awarded the ?Order of the Mercury Claw? trophy. Crabs race on a specially-designed circular track, where all the ?crabtestants? are placed in the center. At the sound of the starting horn, crabs scurry to the outer ring of the track. Whichever claw crosses the line first wins. It?s the survival of the ?crabbiest!?

Along with the Crustacean 500 race, participants may enter the Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant. At the pageant, hermit crabs are presented in uniquely-decorated displays and judged on beauty and creativity. Hermit crab owners are encouraged to build a unique display for their crabs. Past winners have included themed entries like ?Spider Crab,? ?Hermit the Hulk,? ?Beauty and the Crab,? and ?Pirates of the Caribbean!?

Aside from 1st, 2nd, And 3rd Place winners, special trophies are also awarded for the Friendliest Crab, Biggest Crab, Shyest Crab, Most Unique Crab Display, Prettiest Crab Shell, Most Athletic Crab, and Most Traveled Crab.

Approximately 200 hermit crabs participate in the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge each year. Many of these come from out of state just to be with us!

ALL participants will receive a medal for being a part of the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge.

There are no fees for entering the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge; the event is free for both participants and spectators.