Crisfield, MD's, Hard Crab Derby returns for 78th year: Crab races, cooking contests, more
Here's what you need to know about the annual crab-centered event, including crab cooking contest rules, when to catch a glimpse of the competitive crab races and much more.
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When and where is this year's National Hard Crab Derby?
The National Hard Crab Derby, a staple event on the Eastern Shore, will take place from Aug. 29-31, 2025, in downtown Crisfield.
This year's big event will feature crab races, cooking and picking contests, as well as a boat docking contest, crafts, live entertainment, beauty pageants, a parade, fireworks and more.
Crisfield, also known as "The Crab Capital of the World," is home to the Somers Cove Marina, one of the largest marinas on the East Coast.
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All things crab: Crab races, crab picking and crab cooking
The Hard Crab Derby's variety of crab-themed festivities will kick off with the 61st annual crab cooking contest at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, at Somerset Intermediate School.
During this time, a special panel of food experts will choose the tastiest entries in the following four categories: appetizer, soup/salad, main dish and crab cakes. The deadline for all food entries is Friday, Aug. 22.
Judges will evaluate all entries based on appearance, overall flavor, crab flavor, originality, texture, clear directions, ease of preparation, ease of serving and appropriate use of crab meat. Judges will also get to sample each dish.
The top three recipes in each group will receive a plaque and cash prize, ranging from $50 to $100. A grand prize winner will also be selected to win an additional $100. The best presentation winner will also receive honors.
Next up are the crab picking contest and crab races, both crowd-favorite events, on Saturday, Aug. 30. The events will take place back to back at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively.
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Crisfield's National Hard Crab Derby to feature parade, more
The Hard Crab Derby will also play host to a big parade on Main Street. The parade will start at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30.
The parade route will begin at Somerset Avenue and W. Main Street, and later end at 6th Street and West Main Street.
More festivities include food vendors, an artisan marketplace, a Miss, Little Miss & Mr. Crustacean Pageant, and a mechanical bull.
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Live entertainment at Crisfield's National Hard Crab Derby
Dance the night away with Tranzfusion on Friday, Aug. 29, from 7-10 p.m. for just $25 per person. Then, jam out to local band SMITTY & On The Edge on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 7-10 p.m., also for $25 per person.
Full Circle will take the stage on Sunday, Aug. 31, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for a total cost of $10 per person. Crisfield's National Hard Crab Derby will wrap things up with a colorful fireworks show later that same night.
For more information on how to get tickets, visit the Crab Derby site. A full schedule of the 78th annual National Hard Crab Derby events can be found online at www.nationalhardcrabderby.com/entertainment.
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Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: A guide to Crisfield, MD's, 78th annual Hard Crab Derby festivities
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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Crisfield, MD's, Hard Crab Derby returns for 78th year: Crab races, cooking contests, more
Crisfield, Maryland's National Hard Crab Derby will return for its 78th year this month. Here's what you need to know about the annual crab-centered event, including crab cooking contest rules, when to catch a glimpse of the competitive crab races and much more. OCEAN CITY'S SEAFOOD FESTIVAL: Ocean City, Md., to debut its inaugural seafood festival featuring cooking demos this fall When and where is this year's National Hard Crab Derby? The National Hard Crab Derby, a staple event on the Eastern Shore, will take place from Aug. 29-31, 2025, in downtown Crisfield. This year's big event will feature crab races, cooking and picking contests, as well as a boat docking contest, crafts, live entertainment, beauty pageants, a parade, fireworks and more. Crisfield, also known as "The Crab Capital of the World," is home to the Somers Cove Marina, one of the largest marinas on the East Coast. WHITE MARLIN OPEN WINNERS: White Marlin Open final leaderboard: Ocean City angler comes out on top with white marlin All things crab: Crab races, crab picking and crab cooking The Hard Crab Derby's variety of crab-themed festivities will kick off with the 61st annual crab cooking contest at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, at Somerset Intermediate School. During this time, a special panel of food experts will choose the tastiest entries in the following four categories: appetizer, soup/salad, main dish and crab cakes. The deadline for all food entries is Friday, Aug. 22. Judges will evaluate all entries based on appearance, overall flavor, crab flavor, originality, texture, clear directions, ease of preparation, ease of serving and appropriate use of crab meat. Judges will also get to sample each dish. The top three recipes in each group will receive a plaque and cash prize, ranging from $50 to $100. A grand prize winner will also be selected to win an additional $100. The best presentation winner will also receive honors. Next up are the crab picking contest and crab races, both crowd-favorite events, on Saturday, Aug. 30. The events will take place back to back at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively. EAST COAST OYSTER RESTORATION: 'Largest oyster restoration initiative in world' leads to major breakthrough Crisfield's National Hard Crab Derby to feature parade, more The Hard Crab Derby will also play host to a big parade on Main Street. The parade will start at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30. The parade route will begin at Somerset Avenue and W. Main Street, and later end at 6th Street and West Main Street. More festivities include food vendors, an artisan marketplace, a Miss, Little Miss & Mr. Crustacean Pageant, and a mechanical bull. HOME RUN AT SAVANNAH BANANAS: Savannah Bananas give 4-year-old facing gastroparesis inspiring moment as home run hitter Live entertainment at Crisfield's National Hard Crab Derby Dance the night away with Tranzfusion on Friday, Aug. 29, from 7-10 p.m. for just $25 per person. Then, jam out to local band SMITTY & On The Edge on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 7-10 p.m., also for $25 per person. Full Circle will take the stage on Sunday, Aug. 31, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for a total cost of $10 per person. Crisfield's National Hard Crab Derby will wrap things up with a colorful fireworks show later that same night. For more information on how to get tickets, visit the Crab Derby site. A full schedule of the 78th annual National Hard Crab Derby events can be found online at OCMD FIRE DEPARTMENT'S BOATS: How Ocean City Fire Department's fireboats keep the resorts waters safe Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@ This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: A guide to Crisfield, MD's, 78th annual Hard Crab Derby festivities Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Savannah Bananas leave an indelible mark on Chicago, from an emotional White Sox reunion to a Chance happening
Fans gathered in the parking lot in front of Rate Field's Gate 5 for the Before the Peel party. A swarm of yellow crowded in front of the stage to watch the festivities take place. This is where the first celebrity cameo happened. The afro-mohawk, big gold chain, sideburns, yellow sleeveless vest, blue shorts and a layer of sweat that glistened his forehead. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. … K? 'I'm Mr. K and I put the T in potassium,' Mr. K said on stage. 'I pity the fool to anyone not having fun right now.' He led a crowd train, did the Cupid Shuffle with a dad-bod dancing team and had water balloons thrown at him by three mascots — Split, Benny the Bull and Southpaw. This was at 3 p.m. Friday, four hours before the Savannah Bananas' first game in Chicago. Ever. You just had to be there. The dancing, baseball-playing — sorry, Banana Ball-playing — team finished their first trip to Rate Field on Saturday with a second game in as many nights against the Firefighters. The weekend included trick plays, dancing in the heat and nonstop music from start till dawn. The yellow swarm of fans filed out of the Sox-35th Red Line stop right at 11:30 a.m. Friday to purchase merchandise, adding to their bright-colored wardrobe. It was about time the Savannah Bananas came to the Windy City. Amber and Corey Shultz brought their 6- and 4-year-old sons, Tanner and Carter, for their second Bananas game. They went to Indianapolis for their first experience, but 35th and Shields is a shorter drive from their Kankakee home. The kids said they most wanted to see Split, the Bananas mascot. 'Hopefully they come in next year,' Amber Schultz said. Photos: Savannah Bananas make Chicago debut at Rate FieldIt was fun for kids and adults alike. Edward Gordon, 35, was wearing his banana costume. It was a bold move wearing an extra layer in nearly 90-degree heat, but this seemed to be his plan regardless. 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For these people that come to see our show for the first time, we got to put on the greatest show on sports. 'Chicago is a special market for us, and obviously the demand is huge, over 100,000-plus people on the waitlist to come here. Anytime we come to a city like Chicago that has a great history, to put our little stamp on it is exciting for us.' Everyone knows the Bananas for their dancing, but maybe not for the effort behind it. The rehearsals began at 12:45 p.m. with more than five rehearsals for different numbers. Ryan Kellogg, the lefty pitcher who was a Cubs draft pick in 2015, said these choreographs change every game and are unpredictable. 'It's tough to set expectations for games like this because just like any normal baseball game, anything can happen,' Kellogg, 31, said. 'I'm excited to see this place sold out. I'm sure this place can get really loud, so I'm really excited for that.' And that it did. The energy only increased as the night went on, to the delight of the players on the field. Seems like Cole's pep talk worked. 'We feed off their energy, so when they're into it, we're always into it,' Kellogg said. 'It was always a lifelong childhood dream to pitch in all 30 major-league stadiums, so to be able to cross this one off the list and … stand on the mound and look up into the third deck and see all those fans excited and locked into the game is special.' The White Sox lent their ballpark to the Bananas, who returned the favor big time to fans. Firefighters catcher Dalton Cornett went up to bat early in the game Friday night wearing his father's White Sox jersey. His dad, Scott, was a catcher in the Sox organization for two years before becoming the baseball coach for his alma mater, Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Ky., a position he has held for more than 30 years. 'It's always special having my dad there, he's taught me everything and molded me into who I am,' Cornett said. 'He always stays on my back to keep pushing (me), so it's been absolutely great.' In the sixth inning, Cole announced special additions to the roster. Former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski came running in wearing a Bananas jersey and was met with a roar from unsuspecting South Side fans. In his 19-year MLB career — eight with the Sox — he finished with 2,043 hits, 188 home runs and 909 RBIs. He was behind the plate when pitcher Bobby Jenks closed out the White Sox's 2005 World Series win. In the seventh, Pierzynski had familiar company. Cole called on Mark Buehrle to pitch in the bottom of the inning. Having thrown for the White Sox from 2000-11, he finished his 16-year career with a 214-160 record, 3.81 ERA and 1,870 strikeouts. Buehrle pitched seven innings in Game 2 of the 2005 Series against the Houston Astros, then earned the save in the Game 3 win two nights later. The Sox last month unveiled a Buehrle statue along the right-field concourse at Rate Field, honoring the franchise great. Buehrle threw to Pierzynski for the first time in more than a decade Friday night, and the two embraced at the plate, a reunion that would make Pope Leo XIV smile. A 'Let's go, White Sox' chant ensued across the sold-out crowd. The theme continued Saturday with appearances from longtime Sox shortstop and World Series-winning manager Ozzie Guillén and Paul Konerko, another hero from the 2005 champions. That wasn't the only Chicago love at Rate Field. White Sox die-hard Chance the Rapper performed Friday with a dance in center field with the Bananas and Firefighters. He was all smiles during his moment and in his suite surrounded by family and friends. The lights went out in the eighth inning, and fans illuminated the ballpark with their phone flashlights as Chance sang along with the Bananas to Coldplay's 'Yellow.' 'Never bet against the Bananas,' he said after their 3-2 win Friday night. 'I had never been to one of their games before, but I'm a big fan of the All-American Rejects,' Chance, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, said of the Bananas. 'I've seen a video of them performing together and I thought it was so cool. When they were coming to Chicago, I reached out. It was really cool, I love s— that's for the whole family.' The game had a two-hour time limit, but if you blinked, you missed a backflip catch, Dakota 'Stilts' Albritton delivering pitches standing at 10 feet, the dancing umpire and even a 'Mike Ditka' cameo in which the celebrity impersonator brought out the bears — kids dressed up in animal costumes. Banana Ball rules include one in which the Most Valuable Banana can present a fan challenge to overturn a call. There was one in the third inning, when a call was changed after a review showed a fan in the stands caught the yellow banana ball on a fly — which is an out. Viewers were directly involved with the game. '(It's) just the different spin on baseball,' said Kyle Lund, 38, wearing a banana bucket hat his wife bought him. 'Honestly, it gets a little boring to be at night in a game and it (be) slow. This (is) going to be quick.' Between innings, players danced with kids in the stands, sang them lullabies and even handed out roses to the 'beautiful fans' as a thank you for attending. The Savannah Bananas can call their first trip to Chicago a success after seeing more than 80,000 fans in two nights at Rate Field. Whether they return to the South Side or debut at Wrigley Field in the coming years, the yellow team left its mark on the city, showing that a little fun can go a long way. 'It shows the kids that you don't have to be serious all the time,' Gordon said. 'You can still enjoy and have fun, but you still have sports involved with it too.'
New York Times
6 days ago
- New York Times
The Savannah Bananas have a South Side sellout. Here's how to watch their stopover in Chicago
Another weekend in which the Savannah Bananas liberate a house of losing baseball. Rate Field, home of the flailing Chicago White Sox, hasn't hosted sustained fun in quite some time. Enter Friday and Saturday batches of Banana Ball in front of sellout crowds. Here's how to tune in and what area newcomers need to know: ESPN2 broadcasts are also available with an ESPN+ subscription. We'll be seeing more Banana Ball in the coming weeks, as TNT Sports ordered an additional 19 broadcasts across August and September. The Savannah Bananas really have internet virality figured out — even their face-plant errors do big numbers. Below is our season-long 2025 explainer on Banana Ball, modified for the Chicago crowd. If you're already acquainted with the Bananas spectacle, consider this an itemized reminder, as well as an open space for stray Lucille Bluth quotes. If you're new to all this, though, here's what to expect from a lively remix of America's pastime. Also, check out Brittany Ghiroli's feature from Banana Ball in Baltimore. She penned a visceral breakdown of the strange phenomenon. Our peeled protagonists are independent and unaffiliated with MLB. They used to compete as members of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball collective based in the South Atlantic. By 2023, the Bananas split (yup) from that league and shifted into full-time exhibition ball. Why be the life of someone else's dreary luncheon when you can throw your own lampshade-on-head banger? Advertisement No, and that's all right. The 2025 White Sox are very bad, just like the '24 Sox were before them. Retired MLB players tend to pop out at Banana Ball games, though, adding a local flair to each ballpark on the tour. Is that low-hanging fruit for local nostalgia? In lesser hands, maybe, but the fruit in question here is a glorious yellow banana, and the former players really do bring a palpable enthusiasm to each outing. So, who could be on call this weekend? Does anyone know what Joe Crede is up to? Get Jermaine Dye's agent on the phone! Listing off underrated White Sox and different members of the 2005 World Series team is somebody's love language, somewhere, maybe. It doesn't have to be a baseball player, either. Peyton Manning snuck down to the dugout when Banana Ball hit Denver, and the Bananas just visited Broncos training camp as well. Your move, Ben Johnson. The Bananas face off with a short rotation of league-owned partners. This weekend's games are against The Firefighters. What's a goon to a goblin? What's a fire extinguisher to a giant potassium stick? We don't have that answer yet, but stay tuned as our research progresses. The Firefighters and Bananas play Friday and Saturday, but only Friday night is televised. Other partners like the Texas Tailgaters and Party Animals are steadily building out their own identities, too. The Tailgaters put a barbecued southern twang on their misadventures. The Party Animals have a mascot named 'Pharty.' Would we ever lie to you, budding Banana Baller? No, we would not: Kind of. The game itself is unscripted and (somewhat) competitive. The Bananas and their opponents do indeed keep score. Still, proceedings go off the rails right quick, and we'll find precious few fans stressed about bullpen matchups or bad base-running. Of course there are. For starters, no bunting. That's an automatic out. No mound visits, because that's a waste of time. And no games exceeding the two-hour mark, unless a tiebreaker is needed. Fair enough. Now, for the true loopiness. Here's a five-pack of extra-unique Banana bylaws: Existential dread wilts in Bananaland. This is the team that turns strikeouts to potassium. Trust that this action is informed by a strange, unshakable love for baseball. None of the current players achieved MLB fame, but several have established themselves as comic performers, internet personalities and delightful novelties. Dakota Albritton is the best known of the Banana bunch, because he charts at 10-foot-9 on his trademark stilts. Seeing is believing, and oh, how we will now believe: The stilts are just the tip of the iceberg, if that iceberg were a colossal frozen banana. Here is a limited list of Banana Ball occurrences: Come for the Bananas, stay for Ham Porter or Travis Hunter. We may even wake up every evening with big smiles on our faces: Yeah, a locally originated band could pop out in addition to the retired baseball heroes. If Chicago suburbanites Plain White T's happen to barge in, just don't say we didn't warn you. Streaming and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo by Sean Rayford / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
