Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant Among Events In Ocean City This Week

OCEAN CITY, NJ — With a few weeks of summer left, there's plenty to do in Ocean City. From hermit crab pageants to live music, see what’s happening in Ocean City this week:

Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant

The original 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. 18.

The pageant begins at 6 p.m. on the beach at Sixth Street with free registration for competitors opening at 5:30 p.m. The pageant promotes responsible ownership of hermit crabs and features them displayed in elaborately themed dioramas. The winner gets to travel a flowery runway to take reign.

The pageant is followed immediately by the annual Hermit Crab Races with 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 Ocean City Pageant

The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. Reigning Little Miss Antonella DiAntonio will crown her successor at the conclusion of the pageant.

Tickets for the event are $10 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by going online or by calling 609-399-6111.

Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant

The Music Pier will host the 15th annual Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question.

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 going online or by calling 609-399-6111.

See what other weekly events are scheduled this week:

Wednesday

Ocean City’s “Wacky But Not Tacky” series of Wacky Wednesdays continues at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The event invites families and individuals to participate in various activities and contests.

This week, families will participate in a “Prince and Princess Party.” The event will invite participants to create their own prince or princess crown. No advance registration is required for the free family event.

The popular weekly Farmers Market on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle continues 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 29. The market features the best of fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors.

The Friends of The Ocean City Pops present a performance by Hugh Panaro 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ocean City Tabernacle. Panaro is best known for playing the title role in Broadway’s “Phantom of the Opera.”

Tickets are available online, at 609-399-6111 or the Music Pier Box Office.

Thursday

Market Days entertainment and activities on downtown Asbury Avenue will run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and continue Thursday mornings through the season.

Family Night entertainers at various blocks on the Ocean City Boardwalk will perform Thursday evenings 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday

The Ocean City Pops orchestra will feature four top talents from Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts: Anne Marie Stanley, Aubry Ballaro, Angel Gomez and Eric Delagrange. The show is at the Ocean City Music Pier at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online, 609-399-6111 or the Music Pier Box Office.

Monday

The Marshall Tucker Band with special guests Pure Prairie League will perform in a Summer Concert Series show at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.

Tickets are available online or at the Music Pier Box Office.

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