Champion Crab Races Day

It's not that I don't believe adults get together once a year and watch races, it happens more than once a year!

That's what I think most people wouldn't want to take off work or school to race, so I can't help but think this is one of those "third Saturday of February" holidays.

But I have consulted a lot of sources on the internet, and every one of them mentioning Champion Crab Races Day that it is on February 17^th every year!

History of Champion Crab Races Day

It is possible that you have been in an auto or horse race, but have you ever been in a crab race? Hermit crabs are the crustaceans of choice for such competitions. According to an explanation of a typical crab racing event, crabs will compete in about 12 to 14 heat races, with the winner of each race going on to the championship race. Before a race, crabs are gathered under a bowl in the center of a 6-foot-diameter lap. The bowl is raised and the crabs are entered into the race, with the first one to get out of the ring being declared the winner. After the championship race, the owner of the winning crab receives a bonus envelope.

The National Crab Racing Association (NCRA), which was founded by Jim Morgan in 1979, is one of the most prominent organizations related to crab racing. They are associated with the holiday today, but it is unclear if they started or not. NCRA sources their hermit crabs from Florida Marine Research, the leading importer of hermit crabs in the world. They put the crabs through a training program and the best ones take part in crab races across the US and Canada. Each year a cab is awarded the Morgan Cup - it is unknown if it is awarded on Champion Crab Races Day.

How to celebrate Champion Crab Races Day

You can celebrate Champion Crab Races Day by getting a hermit crab, becoming a crab racer and organizing your own crab race. Picking up a book about hermit crabs can be a good idea, to get to know the animal better — you don't want to end up squeezing yourself! You can also find a crab race to attend today or at a future date. Perhaps you could plan to attend the Great American Crab Races or one sponsored by the National Crab Association.