Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge
Saturday, July 12, 2008
9:00am-1:00pm
On the beach at 29th Street
Win,
Lose,
or Claw!
Pick a theme for your hermit crab and build a unique display for the Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant!
The Crab is King at this one-of-a-kind event that’s fun for the whole family! The Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge will be held at the Virginia Beach oceanfront at 29th Street from 9:00am until 1:00pm on Saturday, July 12, 2008.
The day starts with preliminary judging for the Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant! At the pageant, hermit crabs are presented in their own unique decorated displays, and are judged on creativity and beauty.
Participants are highly encouraged to bring their hermit crabs in themed habitats.
Past winners have included themed entries like “Spider Crab,” “Hermit the Hulk,” and “Beauty and the Crab!” The more elaborate the decorated entry, the better the chances of winning a trophy! A distinguished panel of “crabby” judges bestows the “Miss Curvaceous Crustacean” title upon the most deserving crab.
Preliminary hermit crab races lead to the Crustacean 500, where the winner is crowned and awarded the “Order of the Mercury Claw” trophy! Crabs race on a specially-designed circular track, where all the “crabtestants” are placed in the middle. At the sound of the bugle, crabs scurry to the outer circle at the end of the track. It’s the “survival of the crabbiest!”
Nearly 300 crabs were entered in last year's Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge. 50 of those were from out of state! EVERY participant receives a medal at the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge. Hermit crabs may be purchased at most shops along Atlantic Avenue at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.
Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant and Crustacean 500 race trophies are awarded at the end of the day. Additional trophies to be awarded during the day include: Friendliest Crab, Biggest Crab, Most Creative Crab, Shyest Crab, Most Unique Crab Display, Prettiest Crab Shell, Most Athletic Crab, and Most-Traveled Crab.
There are no fees for entering the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge.
Registration is from 10:00am-Noon. Everyone who plans on participating in the beauty pageant and/or race should arrive at 10:00am to begin the registration process.
The Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge is sponsored by the City of Virginia Beach, Live Nation, and Beachevents.
