Today's the Day Who's the Fairest, Fastest Hermit Crab In (on) the Land?

OCEAN CITY - Hermit crabs and their handlers will converge here today (August 19) for two events peculiar to this resort — the annual Miss Crustacean Contest and the lusty Hermit Craff* Races. The Miss Crustacean pageant is Ocean City’s attempt to unearth the loveliest shellfish in existence. The winder gets to creep down a flower-bedecked runway to the strains of “Here It Comes, Miss . Crustacean.’Va song which elicits tears of joy arid cheers of disbelief from hundreds of onlookers at the 11th St. Beach. Miss Crustacean entrants normally are gaudily decorated with bangles, paint, feathers, etc., with, some even perched on floats. Occasionally, however, one with a beautiful shell will compete in its natural state. The lucky winner is presented the “coveted Cucumber Rind Cup,” a trophy with a cucumber stuck inside. The prize represents a year’s supply of food to even the most gluttonous hermit crab. THIS YEAR THE Miss Crustacean song will be rendered by William Sackett, prominent big band leader, who is risking his reputation by, indulging in the event. Sackett has agreed reluctantly and many say he is participating mostly to protect his Thursday night gig at the City’s Music Pier. The report is hotyly denied by Mark Soifer, tity public'

relations director, who claims that this year the resort is pulling out all the stops to bring added professionalism to the pageant. "Miss Crustacean is no longer a Mickey Mouse event,’ says Soifer. “It has grown' in stature and acceptance over the past four years, and two major television syndication companies are expected at the beach 1 p.m. on August 19. I’ve been singing the theme song since the inception of the contest and; quite frankly, the Board of Directors and I agree it’s time I stepped aside and let a younger, more contemporary personality take ovel 1 .” A PANEL OF JUDGES with impressive credentials are slated to select the new Miss Crustacean. They include Lynn Weidner, former Miss New Jersey and " Atlantic City television personality; Priscilla Parker, former beauty queen and director of the city’s Baby Parade; band leader Sackett known for his general sartorial excellence and ease of intimidation ; Clint Campbell, an expert on shellfish ( he runs a Seafood restaurant) and Martin Z. Mollusk, the city’s relatively famous Hermit Crab. Martin Z. ventures onto the beach in May amid much fanfare in an attempt to see his Shadow. If he sees it, summer comes a week early to Ocean City. If not, it arrives on time, according to Ocean City folklore,, The pomp crazed shellfish recently completed his biography, f “The Martin Z. Mullusk Story/or Rhyme and Punishment.'' He will be available to autograph copies of the versified bio during today’ exciting events. FOLLOWING THE Miss Crustacean pageant, the annual Hermit Crab Races begin with over 150 of the fastest creepers in the country vying for the title “King of Klutz.” This event normally requires 15 heats and a runoff and includes a bugler who calls the crabs to the official starting gate — a cake dish cover. AH'

heats are timed with contestants struggling to best the world record of 6.5 seconds set by "Hymie" in 1976. Tis speedster has since departed to that “Great Tree Crab Sandbar in the Sky" but his record remains as art inspiration and ultimate challenge to all contestants. Earlier in the day, the city presents its second Sand Sculpting contest of the season scheduled for 9 a m. at the 10th St. Beach. The .Crustacean ex-

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travaganza begins 1 p.m. followed by the races at 11th St. Beach. - “Our hermit crab events have been featured by media all over the country." says Soifer proudly. “When we tell folks whal's.going to happen, they don't believe it," he said. “Then they come to see it and they still don't believe it." Miss Crustacean hopefuls and Hermit Crab speedsters maf register’ for their respective events between 12:30 and f p.m. at the 11th St. Beach.

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