Congratulations to our new Miss Ocean City, 18-year-old Madison Kennelly, who was crowned Saturday on the Ocean City Music Pier. Another week of pageantry in Ocean City includes the Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant on Wednesday and the Little Miss Ocean City Pageant on Friday.
The original beauty contest for crustaceans moves to the evening 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. 16.
Usually a morning event, the pageant moves to 6 p.m. this year on the beach at Sixth Street. Registration is free and starts 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 her reign.
“Ocean City is the only place in the world where you’ll see a crustacean beauty pageant,” event founder Mark Soifer said with his usual sense of understatement.
The pageant is followed immediately by the annual Hermit Crab Races with the speediest crustaceans competing for the King of Klutz Plaque. Both events are free to watch or join. For more information, call (609) 399-6111.
The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include more than 25 girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. This year’s theme is “Beauty and the Beast.” Reigning Little Miss Charlotte Erickson 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 visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling (609) 399-6111.
The Beach Boys return to Ocean City for four performances: 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, and 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22. The iconic band performed sold-out Ocean City shows in 2015 and 2016. Featuring long-time band members Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, the group will perform their feel-good summertime classics. Tickets (starting at $59.50) are still available for the concerts at the Ocean City Music Pier. Visit Ticketmaster.com, stop by the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office or call 1 (800) 745-3000.