The National Hard Crab Derby is held every year on Labor Day weekend in Somerset County. The annual event includes crab races, cooking and crab picking contests, arts and crafts, and more.

Known to many as the “Crab Capital of the World,” Crisfield in Somerset County is home to many seafood restaurants and the Somers Cove Marina, one of the largest marinas on the East Coast. The derby was created in 1947 by Egbert L. Quinn, publisher of the Crisfield Times, to honor the town’s rich crabbing history. The main event of the Crab Derby is Saturday with the parade down Main Street, followed by the crab race and crab catching competitions. The event is a homecoming, marking the return of many former Crisfielders to celebrate the holiday.

This year the 77th Annual National Hard Crab Derby will be held on August 30th, 31st and September 1st.

The unique crab-themed event includes crab races, crab cooking and picking contests, arts and crafts, live entertainment, beauty pageants, a parade, fireworks and more.

For more information about the event’s various festivities, visit the National Hard Crab Derby website or Facebook page.

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