Annual crab derby back in Crisfield

CRISFIELD, Md. – The annual crab derby took place in Crisfield, Saturday, and rumor has it, it was the best one yet.

Eventgoer Lewis Thomas said Crisfield is the hotspot for some of the best crabs.

“This is the crab capital of the world; this is the only place you can come get the best crabs,” Thomas said.

For Donal Howard, the crab derby is a must-attend, every year.

“I’ve been here longer than anybody,” Howard said.

Howard is a familiar face at the derby, to say the least. He’s been coming with his family for over a decade.

“This is my 15th year in the crab derby,” Howard said. “I’m probably the oldest one in the parade.”

While the crab derby is an annual event in Crisfield, Waterman Greg Ward said the event is bigger than just watching the crustaceans crawl.

“It’s always a homecoming here, in Crisfield,” Ward said. “You always see people that you haven’t seen in years.”

And Ward said the turnout for this year’s derby tops all others.

“This is the best crab derby we’ve had here in the past 15 years,” Ward said. “We’ve actually sold the most crabs ever in history.”

For people like crab picker Nakia Gale, the annual event is a way to continue a family tradition.

“I come here every year. I do this every year with my mom,” Gale said.

“I’ve always worked in picking crabs and seafood– it’s just something we love doing,” Gale adds.