Event: 79th National Hard Crab Derby--an annual family friendly event with crab races, crab picking and cooking contests, carnival rides for kids, boat docking (at City Dock), 5/10K races, parade, pagents, concerts every night, fireworks and more!
Organizers: Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Location: Somers Cove Marina, 715 Broadway Crisfield, Maryland
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 4:00 pm– 10:00 pm (7-10pm adult concert)
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (7-10pm adult concert)
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 11:00 am – 9:00 pm* (5:30pm-8:30pm adult concert, fireworks at dusk)
*Boat Docking food vendor option 12-2:30pm (see information below)
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Event Details for Vendors
SET-UP: Must be set up by 2pm on Friday (Health Department)
Vehicles allowed on grounds to unload but may NOT remain during the event.
All vehicles must be off the property by 3pm on Friday and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Vehicles allowed after closing each day. Then can be packed and left overnight.
PAYMENT: Space is limited. Therefore, it is available on a first come-first served basis. Space is not guaranteed until full payment is received (by at least August 1, 2026)
Please make checks payable to National Hard Crab Derby and mail to above address. Credit Card payments may be made with online submissions by calling the Chamber Office at 410-968-2500 (3% service fee will apply).
This year we are asking patrons for a $1 donation to get into the fairgrounds. Carnival rides, concerts and games are an additional charge. We want the food vendors to make good money so you will come back each year, but please keep food prices in mind for local residents since this is a popular "homecoming" event. Consider having multiple pricing options.
You will get charged a flat fee of $175.00 for a 10x10ft booth and $300 to sell food/drinks for a base total of $475.00. If you require an additional 10 ft space it will be $100 for each extra space (22ft food trucks require one additional space for a total of $575.00).
*We are offering a limited number of our food vendors to setup at the Boat Docking for an extra $150.00. Details will be announced soon. Please indicate if you are interested.
A 25% minimum non-refundable deposit charge is required to reserve your spot and is due by July 1, 2026.
Please describe your food and indicate the items you would like to sell. If you do not mark all the food items you are selling on this contract or otherwise inform us in writing before the event (office@crisfieldchamberofcommerce.com), you are not allowed to sell the food item, and you will be asked to leave with no refund.
HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT
Exhibitor hereby agrees to indemnity and hold harmless the National Hard Crab Derby, the Somers Cove Marina and the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce, its owners and management from and against any and all claims for personal injuries, death, damage costs and/or other expenses including reasonable attorney’s fees arising from or in any way connected with the use of Somers Cove Marina or any part of facility, thereof by the exhibitor, his agents, members, partners, associated contractors, servants, and employees.
Exhibitor agrees to be solely responsible for all equipment, stock-in-trade, personal property, etc., utilized in connection with the use of the premises and exhibitor does hereby waive any right of recovery against the National Hard Crab Derby, its owners and management and the Association for loss, damage, theft or such equipment, stock-in-trade, personal property, etc.
The vendors must have 1 million liability insurance coverage with The Chamber of Commerce and Somers Cove Marina listed on the insurance certificate. Must be accompanied with the food vendor application. THE EXHIBITOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CLEANUP OF THEIR AREA
I acknowledge receipt of the Rules and Regulations and Hold Harmless Agreement for the National Hard Crab Derby and agree to abide by these rules. If any or all of these rules are not followed, we (The National Hard Crab Derby) reserve the right to remove you from the premises. Any updates to event details will be communicated to vendors as soon as possible.
VENDOR RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Payment for booth space: Payment / 25% Deposit is due on or before July 1st (non-refundable). Applications will not be accepted as complete and booth space is not guaranteed until full payment is received (full payment is due August 1, 2025). If the vendor fails to make full payment when due, he or she forfeits their right to the use of festival space. Any returned checks will be charged a $25.00 fee. Failure to pay the appropriate fees will result in the loss of booth space.
2. Assignment of booth space: Space will be assigned by the Crab Derby Management. The Management reserves the right to relocate booths at any time for the betterment of the festival.
3. Hours of set-up and operation: All vendors must be set up and ready 2 hours before the event (for Health Inspection) and for operation by 3:00 pm on Friday and by 10:00 am on Saturday and Sunday. All vehicles must be off festival grounds 1 hour prior to festival grounds opening.
4. Booths are to be manned at all times. Vendor agrees to stay open during derby hours. No vendor may move their booths in or out of the marina during festival hours.
5. You may NOT sell any alcohol.
6. Trash receptacles are placed throughout the marina – PLEASE USE THEM.
7. Vendors must provide their own extension cords. Cords must be taped down with duct tape or otherwise secured so they are not a tripping hazard.
8. Crab Derby management reserves the right to remove any exhibitor for use of drugs or alcohol and for being disruptive to other vendors or customers.
9. Products will be evaluated and you may be asked to remove a particular product from your menu or booth.
10. All prices must be displayed prominently.
11. No eating areas (tables/chairs) or displays are to be set up by vendors in front of vendor spaces (space is limited to 10x10ft area).
*Don't foget to indicate the list of items you would like to sell for the Crab Derby Management team to review. We want a large selection of food and drink items competitevely priced for our visitors. Recognize that some food items will overlap: everyone is allowed to sell crab-inspired dishes, kid friendly food (hotdogs, chicken tenders for example), french fries, tea, & lemonade. Menus must be shared before event.
**It is the food vendor’s responsibility to get a temporary health permit from Somerset County Health Dept. Ph: 443-523-1730 and abide by any sales tax provisions.