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Posted in Maryland Festivals February 24, 2019 by Jamie Alvarenga

Watch Blue Crabs Race At The Quirkiest Festival In Maryland

You’ve probably seen horses race, maybe even pigs race, but how about blue crabs? Only in Maryland! Check out the state’s quirkiest festival that’s home to the National Hard Crab Derby. Yes, it’s a real thing and you can only find it right here in the Old Line State. Read on for the details and mark your calendar!

The National Hard Crab Derby takes place every Labor Day weekend in Crisfield, Maryland.

Never been to Crisfield? It's located on Maryland's eastern shore, pretty much as south as you can go.

The town is known as the Blue Crab Capital, and they celebrate all things crabby during the annual National Hard Crab Derby festival.

There are several days of events, including a traditional Miss Crustacean pageant, followed by a parade...

...all sorts of vendors that sell local goods...

...and carnival rides to round out the nights.

There's also a 10k, seafood cook-offs, and even crab picking contests!

It's no surprise that the largest crowd gathers for the crab derby.

I mean, where else can you watch crabs race each other? This very Maryland event is a must-see at least once.

According to the event website, "Fifty live crabs at a time are launched from the wooden "crab cake track" onto a wet flat surface pitched at an angle. The first crabs off the surface are the winners of that heat."

Bet you never thought you'd cheer on blue crabs before. It's quite a sight. Go ahead and keep your Labor Day weekend open. You're going to want to see this.

For more information about The National Hard Crab Derby, visit the website.

Check out more seafoood festivals in Maryland by clicking here!

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Jamie Alvarenga

Jamie Alvarenga is a writer and editor who loves all things Maryland.