Its name was Copa, Copa Crabana, the hottest crab north of Havana.
The disco-dancing hermit crab, dressed in gold and blue feathers as she crawled down a simulated gold and blue nightclub, won the 21st annual Miss Crustacean Pageant on Wednesday.To participate in the contest, held at the 6th Street Beach, children dress up hermit crabs and pose them in elaborately detailed boxes.
Copa Crabana, owned by the folks at the Old Salt gift shop on the Boardwalk, was presented in a cardboard box that was fashioned as the legendary Copa Cabana nightclub in Havana.
Copa beat out 79 other crabs for the coveted Cucumber Rind Cup.
City public relations director Mark Soifer led the crowd in a song, "There She Is, Miss Crustacean," as the lucky crab waddled down the runway.
Soifer had no explanation for the longevity of the event.
"This makes no sense, has no redeeming social value and offers no prize money," he said.