Crisfield, Maryland - King Blue - Mascot Crab

A couple years ago, the students and staff of Crisfield High School, along with much of the rest of the town (population 2,300) turned out for the dedication ceremony for a giant concrete crab statue in front of the school. The crab celebrates the school's mascot, the Crabber. When I attended the school, the school paper had a contest to name the mascot, and King Blue became the name, though few actually refer to the mascot by that name.

The crab also helps add to Crisfield's crabby atmosphere. Known as "The Seafood Capital of the World," Crisfield is full of crustacean emblazoning, from the crab silhouettes on its street signs to the giant crab painted on its water tower. There's even an annual National Hard Crab Derby (complete with Miss Crustacean beauty pageant!). Residents and visitors pay $3 each to sponsor 350 crabs raced on a specially designed track in seven heats. The winning crab's sponsor receives a trophy! As for the crab itself... well, let's just say it ends up in a better place (with a hint of Old Bay seasoning). [J.F. Shamrock, 03/13/2001]