Hermit Crab Racing a Hit At Florida Key Lime Company
By Space Coast Daily // July 27, 2013
AUDIENCE GROWING EACH WEEK IN COCOA VILLAGE
ABOVE VIDEO: Patrons at Florida Key Lime Company cheer on their hermit crabs at the Friday races. The Tiki Bar is located in the middle of 520, on the west side of Cocoa Village.
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — A Caribbean tradition has been revived in Cocoa Village.
Each Friday, an enthusiastic crowd gathers to watch Hermit Crab races at the Conched on the Head Tiki Bar, located above the KeyLime Company’s shop. Prior to the race, members of the audience select the hermit crab of their choice from a terrarium of more than five dozen crustaceans.
Each crab dons a shell painted with its own unique decoration. The painted designs on the shells range from basketballs to American Flags and characters from the “Hello Kitty” cartoon character. The free event begins at 6:30, with a series of heats. Audience members who pick winning crabs receive prizes.
Race Director Skip Allison says it’s a great job and he enjoys seeing fans of all ages who participate in the “good, clean fun.”
Florida Key Lime Company Owner Louis Morehead started the races as part of a tribute to the tropical lifestyle.
“We started this race about 14 weeks ago,” Morehead said. “Here at the store and up in the tiki bar, we’re all about Florida and the islands. This is kind of an island tradition down in the Caribbean. We thought we would bring it here to Cocoa Village. We started off with just a handful. Now we’re up to 62 racers this evening, with another dozen down stairs waiting to race.”
For more information about Florida Key Lime Company, visit FloridaKeyLimePies.com.
The Florida Key Lime Pie Company is located at 340 King Street in Cocoa Village, immediately east of the intersection of State Road 520 and US 1 in the triangle.
VIDEOS BELOW: Watch interviews with Morehead and race director Skip Allison.
