Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield is the largest publicly owned marina in Maryland. Department of Natural Resources photo.
Maryland 2026 - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites all to Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield for the 79th annual National Hard Crab Derby on Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3-6. This event, held by the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce and taking place on the state-owned marina, celebrates traditions of the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore; and highlights Crisfield’s history as the “Crab Capital of the World.”
This unique crab-themed event includes crab races, boat docking, crab cooking and picking contests, artisans, live entertainment, pageants, a parade, fireworks, a carnival, and more.
The weekend culminates in a competitive boat docking event on Sunday, September 6. In this event, captains race toward a dock, turn sharply and reverse into a slip. Competitive boat docking was called in a recent Wall Street Journal article “the hottest sport you likely never heard of,” although in Maryland several of these events take place around the Chesapeake Bay every summer.
Somers Cove Marina still has numerous boat slips available to rent for close access to all the action. Other events ongoing at the marina include tours of an 85-foot military crashboat that rescued downed pilots during World War II and the Korean War.
With more than 500 boat slips and 100 transient berths , Somers Cove is Maryland’s largest publicly owned marina and the gateway to the Chesapeake Bay. Marina rates and amenities are available on the Somers Cove website.
Entry fees and other information about the National Hard Crab Derby is available on the event website.
