From a suggestion made by a local newspaper editor, the National Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, Maryland, has occurred every Labor Day weekend for over 75 years. It is an event created to celebrate, remember and honor the rich crabbing history of Crisfield. The Chesapeake blue crab is the star of the show in more than one form. Locals refer to the Derby as “homecoming.”

Since that first crab race in front of the Crisfield Post Office in 1948, this Eastern Shore celebration has become one of the most popular events on the coast.

Over the years there have been many changes and additions. In addition to races, there are a crab-picking contest, softshell-cleaning contest, crab-pot making and in 1964, the crab-cooking contest was added to the three-day event.It became a great addition and people from the region have responded. In a thousand ways they have presented the crab in an edible form with recipes. They have entered in the contest’s four divisions: Soups and Salads, Appetizers,...