Week Of Pageantry Includes Miss Crustacean, Jr. Miss Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — There’s a new Miss Ocean City, and her crowning paves the way for yet another week of pageantry in America’s Favorite Family Resort.

Megan Keenan, 19, won the Miss Ocean City Pageant on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Ocean City Music Pier. The nursing major from St. Joseph’s University defeated 10 other contestants to capture the crown, according to ocnjdaily.com.

Another week of pageantry in Ocean City begins on Wednesday with the Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant and concludes on Saturday with the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant, city officials said this week.

The Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant — the original beauty contest for crustaceans — returns as an evening event this year. Ocean City celebrates the beauty of hermit crabs with contestants vying for the coveted Cucumber Rind Cup in this annual event.

All families, kids, businesses and organizations are invited to enter their crustacean in the competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m. on the beach at Sixth Street. Registration for competitors begins at 5:30 p.m.

The pageant promotes responsible ownership of hermit crabs and features them displayed in elaborately themed dioramas. The winner gets to travel a flowery runway to take her reign.

“Ocean City is the only place in the world where you’ll see a crustacean beauty pageant,” event founder Mark Soifer said.

The pageant is followed immediately by the annual Hermit Crab Races with the speediest crustaceans competing for the King of Klutz Plaque. Both events are free to watch or join. For more information, call 609-399-6111.

The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant is set for Friday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. This year’s pageant includes a Hawaiian theme. Reigning Little Miss Ocean City Ginger Mumman will crown her successor at the conclusion of the pageant.

Tickets for the event are $10 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

The Music Pier will host the 13th annual Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question in a pageant with a “Dancing Queen” theme.

Junior Miss Ocean City 2018 Hope Aita will crown her successor after a dynamic year of service. Junior Miss Ocean City serves as an ambassador for the City of Ocean City at iconic traditions like Night in Venice, Pamper Scamper, Baby Parade, Christmas Parade, Wacky Wednesday activities and more.

Contestants range in age from 12 to 15 and are either year-round residents in Ocean City, attend or have graduated from Ocean City High School, or are the daughters of Ocean City property owners. Like the Little Miss Pageant, tickets for the event are $10 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

The attached images were provided by Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen