It’s a Pageant Week in Ocean City … for Humans and Hermit Crabs
Miss Crustacean, Little Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City All to be Crowned
Congratulations to our new Miss Ocean City, 17-year-old Ocean City High School senior Lola DeMarco, 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, the Little Miss Ocean City Pageant on Friday and the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant on Saturday.
The original beauty contest for crustaceans returns on Wednesday. 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 August 16.
The pageant begins at 6 p.m. on the beach at Sixth Street with registration for competitors opening 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 its reign.
The pageant is followed immediately by the annual Hermit Crab Races with the speediest crustaceans competing for the top prize. 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 girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. Reigning Little Miss Lyla Clark 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 Music Pier will host the annual Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question in the pageant. Junior Miss Ocean City 2023 Antonella Diantonio will crown her successor after a dynamic year of service. Contestants range in age from 12 to 15 and are either year-round residents in Ocean City, attend Ocean City High School, or are the daughters of Ocean City property owners. Like the Little Miss 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.
Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City serve as ambassadors for the City of Ocean City at iconic traditions like Night in Venice, Pamper Scamper, Baby Parade, Christmas Parade, Wacky Wednesday activities and more.
GREEN FAIR RETURNS TO MUSIC PIER ON FRIDAY
Ocean City will host a Green Fair under the covered loggia of the Ocean City Music Pier from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. The community-wide event is designed to educate and encourage people of all ages to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. The displays will allow attendees to learn about energy efficiency and incentives, participate in interactive activities, and receive promotional items. The Green Fair is sponsored by the City of Ocean City and the Ocean City Environmental Commission. The event is free to attend, and the Music Pier is located on the Ocean City Boardwalk between Eighth Street and Ninth Street.
ALSO THIS WEEK
AUGUST 16 – Wacky Wednesday – Prince and Princess Party: Use your creativity to design your own prince or princess crown with Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City. Contest is free. Open to all ages. Start time is 10:30 a.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
The popular weekly Farmers Market on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 13. The market features the best of fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors.
AUGUST 17 – Family Night on Thursday will bring a pair of Mummers bands to the Ocean City Boardwalk from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Earlier in the day, entertainers and activities will be on downtown Asbury Avenue for Market Days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
AUGUST 20 – 80 Years of Rodgers and Hammerstein with the Ocean City Pops: Ocean City Pops Conductor Emeritus Bill Scheible will present a tribute to the most successful collaborators ever on Broadway. A special concert featuring vocalists and solo instrumentals will include music from the “Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “Cinderella” and more. The show is 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
AUGUST 22 – The Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute: The “Best Beatles Show in the World” visits the Ocean City Music Pier at 7 p.m. Monday. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office.
