The National Hard Crab Derby is held every summer in Crisfield, Maryland, the self-proclaimed crab capital of the world. At the derby, 50 crabs are placed in individual side-by-side compartments, like race horses at a starting gate. When the race begins, the imprisoned crabs rush out and scramble down a slanted wooden platform that has been doused with water to make it slippery.

The first crab that slides off the platform onto the ground is the winner of that heat. After many heats, the race concludes with all the winners of the previous heats clawing their way to the edge of the platform. One strong, perfect blue crab is proclaimed the year’s winner of the Governor’s cup race, named for Crisfield’s native son, J. Millard Tawes, the 54th governor of Maryland. The owner of the champion crab receives a giant trophy, presented on stage by Miss Crustacean, winner of the festival beauty pageant. What the winning crab receives is anyone’s guess. I like to think it’s Amnesty from the Pot.