The Garibaldi Crab Races, held the second weekend in March at the Old Mill, are a small town tradition not to be missed. Where else can you see otherwise “normal” human beings yell, bang their hands on inclined wooden race lanes, and even attempt to use “psychic powers” to urge their sideways-crawling Dungeness crabs to cross the finish line first? The human “jockey’s” aren’t allowed to touch the racers but bribery, sweet talking and yelling are encouraged!

2019 marks the 34^th anniversary of these legendary races where individual teams came from all over the country to compete with locals. Winners – the two-legged ones, anyway – earn prizes. And the crabs, well, they may be found in some of the specialty dishes served up for the crowds who come just to eat, drink local brews and wine, and have fun watching this hilarious spectacle.

Proceeds from admission charges; sales of food, drink, T-shirts and other souvenirs and fees to enter crabs in the races, go to the Lions Club.  The organization uses the money to help local residents in need obtain glasses, hearing aids and help getting to medical appointments, as well as Lions Club International charitable causes.