Ocean City Week: Pamper Scamper, Free Carnival, Crab Pageant, Baby Parade

With only about a month to go until the start of school and the sad end to another summer season, Ocean City's special events calendar kicks into high gear.

There are plenty of usual and unusual events this week in Ocean City to help visitors take a brief break from the beach and boardwalk — especially if some of the clouds in the weather forecast do show up later in the week. Here are some of the highlights:

MONDAY, AUG. 5

Überboy: The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) will present the world premiere of the musical "Überboy: The Story of a Hero" at the Ocean City Music Pier on Monday, August 5 at 10:30 a.m. Read more on the musical.

Marshall Tucker Band: The Southern rock legends perform on the Ocean City Music Pier at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Visit the Ocean City online box office for ticket information.

"Oh What a Night": The Four Seasons live tribute show starts at 8 p.m. at the Moorlyn Family Theatre on the Boardwalk across from the Ocean City Music Pier. Read more about the show. Tickets at MoorlynFamilyTheatre.org

TUESDAY, AUG. 6

Pamper Scamper: The city’s annual crawling race for babies begins with 9 a.m. registration and 9:30 a.m. racing at the Sixth Street Beach. The event is for babies up to 15 months old. Babies take their time deciding which direction to crawl, while parents frantically try to jump start them from behind the finishing line with trinkets, Teddy Bears, blankets, etc. Always lots of surprises. Call 609-525-9300 for information.

National Night Out Free Carnival: The local police union and the city's community policing unit invite the public to a free night of fun and games 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, on the recreation fields at Sixth Street and Bay Avenue. There are many activities scheduled for the event, including a disc jockey, “dunk” tanks, face painting, inflatable play sets and many other family-oriented activities. A game truck with several large flat-screen TVs will offer all the latest games for kids to play. There will also be carnival-type games in which the children can win prizes. The event is free, and refreshments are available for a small cost. Read more about the National Night Out event in Ocean City.

Mummers Night on the Boardwalk: Roving string bands will perform 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday on the Boardwalk. Kensington String Band —  Sixth to 10th streets. Pennsport String Band — 10th to 14th streets.

"Oh What a Night": The Four Seasons live tribute show starts at 8 p.m. at the Moorlyn Family Theatre on the Boardwalk across from the Ocean City Music Pier. Read more about the show. Tickets at MoorlynFamilyTheatre.org

Latin Nite with the Ocean City Pops: 8 p.m. Music Pier, with pianist Erikson Rojas and Mexican baritone Luis Ledesma. Tickets $15/$10. Sponsored by  O.C. Board of Realtors.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7

Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant: Man and mollusk dress up in themed attire for a different sort of pageant at 1 p.m. at the sand volleyball courts at Sixth Street Beach. Glamorous Crabettes, many on colorful displays, vie for the Coveted Cucumber Rind Cup, symbol of crustacean comeliness. Past winners include such legends as Crabunzel, Crabopatra, Copacrabana and Pirates of the Crabibbean. Winner creeps down a flower-bedecked runway while all sing “Here It Comes, Miss Crustacean.” Read more about the Miss Crustacean Pageant. The event is followed by the King of Klutz Crab races with about 150 crabathletes creeping and clunking over an 8-foot plywood oval. The winner is declared the King of Klutz and receives a plaque that says so. Entry is free in both contests.

A Sand-Sculpting Contest precedes Miss Crustacean, starting 9 a.m. on the Sixth Street Beach. Entry is free, and categories include 5-and-under, 6-8, 9-12, Teens, Individual Adults and Families. Call (609) 525-9300 for information.

Character Night on the Boardwalk: Character Parade of Boardwalk mascots starts at 14th Street at 6 p.m. stopping for a meet-and-greet at the Music Pier and then finishing at 5th Street. Get there early to get an Ocean City Passport Book filled with a fun activities for kids and families, and blank pages for character autographs

THURSDAY, AUG. 8

Baby Parade: The city’s 104th annual Baby Parade, the longest consecutively run Baby Parade in the country, begins at 5 p.m. at Sixth Street and Boardwalk and concludes at 12th Street and Boardwalk. Register at Music Pier Information Center, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6th at Information Center. Read more about the Ocean City Baby Parade.

Unlimited Rides at Playland: Playland’s Castaway Cove will be hosting a Fun Day on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., at their Ocean City Boardwalk amusement center near 10th Street. With the purchase of a $10 wristband, Playland offers unlimited ride access for the three-hour time period. All proceeds from this event will go directly to Operation First Response. Read more about Fun Day at Playland.

Family Night on the Boardwalk: Performs will entertain at various spots on the Ocean City Boardwalk from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Johnson's Popcorn. Schedule is as follows:

• 6th Street - Self Indulgence
• 8th Street - The Jabberjaws 
• 9th Street - Karaoke Faz
• 10th-11th Sts. - Jilly's DJ Party
• 10th-12th Sts. - Magician Rick Vale
• 10th-12th Sts. - Stilt Walker Dean Duncan
• 11th Street Pavilion- Santa & Air Circus
• 12th Street - Cape Shore Sweet Adelines
• 13th Street - Keith Hickman

Taylor Mason, family comedian and ventriloquist: Every Thursday at 8:15 p.m. at the Moorlyn Family Theatre across from the Ocean City Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Tickets at MoorlynFamilyTheatre.org

“Songs and Stories of Old Sailing Days”: The Ocean City Historical Museum presents a 7 p.m. performance by Mathew Dodd at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center, 17th and Simpson Ave., as part of the Museum’s Summer Lecture Series. Read more.

Boys & Girls Surf Fishing Tournament: The century-old Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC) will hold its 38th annual Boys & Girls Surf Fishing Tournament for youth ages 8 to 16 on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the North End Beach near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. This free event, co-sponsored by the Ocean City Department of Recreation, takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, with registration from 9 to 10 a.m. at the parking lot adjacent to the bridge toll booth. Read more about the Boys & Girls Surf Fishing Tournament.

Miss Ocean City Pageant: The Miss Ocean City Pageant is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 10  at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets $15, available at the door. Call (609) 602-7545. Sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. Read more about the Miss Ocean City Pageant.

Unite for Youth:  Free admission, free popcorn and live music by OTW Band for teens every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. at the Moorlyn Family Theatre at Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk.