By Jake Russell
Photos by Valerie Howard, Crisfield Chamber of Commerce
If there is one thing Marylanders know, it's crabs.
We know how to pick them. We know how to eat them. We know how to integrate them into traditional meals and be all right with it. And we sure know how to cele ate them.
However, Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield takes the state's love of the delectable crustaceans to another level with the National Hard Crab Derby. Crisfield, the self-proclaimed “Crab Capital of the World,” takes pride in the derby and the festivities surrounding it.
Now in its 66th year, the National Hard Crab Derby ings together hundreds of blue crabs to race on a slick, flat track to race in front of hundreds of onlookers.
Labor Day weekend at Somers Cove Marina kicks off tonight with a carnival with $20 wristbands permitting kids to ride all night. The derby will begin Friday from 6-10 p.m. and continues from noon-10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There will be a crab cooking contest, crab picking contest, parade, skiff races, boat docking contest, swim meet, games, crafts, and more.
Be sure to stop by nationalhardcrabderby.com for more information.
Meanwhile, two hours up the shore, the Garfield Center for the Arts in Chestertown will host Kent Massive, a cele ation of Kent County's youth music scene put on by Unknowne Landes. Also known for its musical diversity, the Chesapeake region boasts of an eclectic mix of styles, rhythms and sounds.
Young artists such as Latasha Alcindor, Ryshon Jones, Sterling Moon, Me Equals You, Chester River Runoff, and Vitamin K will take the stage and pump out sounds of rap, soul, metal, rock, bluegrass, acoustic, dance, dubstep into an eagerly awaiting audience. More information on other acts and pricing can be found at kentmassive2013.tk.