CRISFIELD — The National Hard Crab Derby is accepting applications for its 2026 pageants, including the Little Miss and Little Mr. Crustacean contest and the Miss Crustacean competition.

The Little Miss and Mr. Crustacean pageant will be held Friday, Aug. 28, at Crisfield High School. Contestants must be 5 or 6 years old on the day of the pageant and live in and/or attend school in Somerset County. Children will be judged on appearance, talent and an interview. Rehearsals are scheduled for Monday through Thursday, Aug. 24-27.

Registration is limited to the first 10 girls and first 10 boys. Parents interested in entering their child should call or text pageant director Lisa Dize at 410-430-2278. The winners will succeed 2025 Little Miss Crustacean Kennedy Bozman and Little Mr. Crustacean Mason Baum.

Applications are also available for the 2026 Miss Crustacean pageant, open to Somerset County teens ages 14-18 who are interested in representing the National Hard Crab Derby and Crisfield. The pageant will be held Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Crisfield High School, with practices beginning Thursday, July 30. The winner will succeed 2025 Miss Crustacean Sammie Insley.

Application will be available on the National Hard Crab Derby website or for additional information text contact information to Ginger Wilson at 443-783-0861 or Jodi Thomas at 443-783-2114.