It’s a Pageant Week in Ocean City…for Humans and Hermit Crabs
What’s Happening in Ocean City, NJ 8/17/22
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 Grace Oves, 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 as an evening event this year. 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 Wednesday, August 17.
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 her reign.
The pageant is followed immediately by the annual Hermit Crab Races with the speediest crustaceans competing for the King of Klutz Award. 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. 19 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. Reigning Little Miss Arianna DiAntonio 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. 20. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question in a pageant with a Hollywood theme. Junior Miss Ocean City 2022 Makenna Fleming 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.
ALSO THIS WEEK
AUGUST 17 – 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. 14. The market features the best of fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors.
AUGUST 18 – Family Night on Thursday will bring a variety of bands and entertainers to the Ocean City Boardwalk from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
AUGUST 21 – Katherine Jenkins with the Ocean City Pops: Welsh superstar Katherine Jenkins was crowned last year as “The Biggest Selling Classical Artist of the Century” by Classic FM. She joins the Ocean City Pops orchestra for a spectacular evening of music. 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 – Kenny Wayne Shepherd: The legendary blues guitarist and his band round out the 2022 Summer Concert Series on the Ocean City Music Pier with a 7 p.m. show on Monday. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office.
AUGUST 23 – Mummers Night: On Tuesday, Aug. 23, Mummers Night will return to the Boardwalk from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with string bands providing entertainment.