A week of pageantry in Ocean City includes the Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant on Wednesday, the Little Miss Ocean City Pageant on Friday and the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant on Saturday.
The wacky beauty contest for crustaceans returns as an evening event this year. In an annual tradition, Ocean City celebrates the beauty of hermit crabs with contestants vying for the coveted Cucumber Rind Cup. All families, kids, businesses and organizations are invited to enter their crustacean in the competition on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The pageant begins at 6 p.m. on the beach at Sixth Street with registration for competitors opening at 5:30 p.m. The event promotes responsible ownership of hermit crabs and features them displayed in elaborately themed dioramas. The winner gets to travel a flowery runway to take her reign.
The pageant is followed immediately by the annual Hermit Crab Races, featuring the speediest crustaceans competing for the King of Klutz Award. Both events are free to watch or join. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
Little Miss, Junior Miss Ocean City Pageants:
The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include 24 girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories.
This year’s pageant includes an “Aladdin” theme. Tickets for the event are $10 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
The Music Pier will host the 14th annual Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question in a pageant with a Broadway theme.
Contestants range in age from 12 to 15 and are either year-round residents in Ocean City, attend or have graduated from Ocean City High School, or are the daughters of Ocean City property owners.
Like the Little Miss Pageant, tickets for the event are $10 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
Also coming up in August:
AUGUST 14 – Wacky Wednesday – Prince and Princess Party: Use your creativity to design your own prince or princess crown with Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City. Contest is free. Open to all ages. Start time is 10:30 a.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
AUGUST 18 – Guts and Glory 5K Run/Walk: Annual family-friendly 5K Run/Walk features a festive-like atmosphere at the start/finish line. Proceeds support the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Start is at 18th Street and Haven Avenue. Registration 7:30 a.m. Race 8:30 a.m. For more information, call 215-396-9100 or visit crohnscolitisfoundation.org.
AUGUST 18 – Movie Night in Ocean City: The Ocean City Pops celebrates the musical legacy of the silver screen with Maestro Vince Lee. Come hear blockbuster favorites from John Williams (“Star Wars,” “Harry Potter”) along with Oscar-winning classics (“Forrest Gump,” “Doctor Zhivago”) and even some classical music favorites made famous on the big screen.
Maestro Lee makes his piano debut with the Ocean City Pops. Show is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $25/$20 and are available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
AUGUST 19 – The Zombies: The Zombies bring their signature psychedelic rock to the Ocean City Music Music Pier. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $49. Visit www.ticketmaster.com or stop by the Music Pier Box Office.
AUGUST 20 – Walter Trout: Hometown hero Walter Trout sees a lifelong dream come true as the powerful and prolific blues guitarist returns to the city where he grew up to perform at the very venue that was commissioned to be built in the 1920s by Trout’s grandfather. Trout will be joined by special guest Vanessa Collier. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets start at $39. Visit www.ticketmaster.com or stop by the Music Pier Box Office.
AUGUST 21 – Cheyenne Jackson with the Ocean City Pops: Grammy-nominated Cheyenne Jackson is a multi-talented actor, singer and songwriter. The show is 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $40/$35 and are available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
