Martin Z. Mollusk Seeks His Shadow on Thursday

Ocean City’s most famous mollusk has his work cut out for him on Thursday.

Hundreds of thousands of vacation-starved visitors will be praying for Martin Z. Mollusk at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 3, as the city's hermit-crab mascot looks for his shadow. If he finds it, summer comes a week early.

But forecasters are calling for clouds and a small chance of showers on Thursday morning. 

For some reason, Ocean City doesn't seem worried. After all — through collective will power, wishful thinking and a lot of squinting — Martin Z. Mollusk has seen his shadow an amazing 37 years in a row. No. 38 is all but a lock, and Ocean City likely will enjoy another early summer.

Ocean City's event is a takeoff on the Groundhog Day celebration that brings more than 30,000 people to a small town in western Pennsylvania to look at a rodent. Martin Z. Mollusk enjoys a much nicer stage—Ocean City in May provides a much more spectacular venue than Punxsutawney in February.

Martin will perform his prognostication on the beach next to the Ocean City Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace.

The festivities will include (in the words of Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer, the mastermind of the Martin Z. Mollusk madness) the following:

• Martin will also receive a comprehensive physical check up. His blood pressure, vital signs and shell will be tested by Dr. Ernest Frankenstein and two nurses. The examination has been ordered by NASCRAB, the National Association of Crab Activities at the Beach. But not to worry, Martin appears to be in good health, according to his friends at on the Boardwalk, where he resides comfortably in an assisted living Crustacean Condo.
• When the big moment arrives, adoring throngs sing his favorite song, Some Enchanted Morning, led by Suzanne Muldowney, aka Underdog, a powerful soprano.
• Martin has always insisted on much hoopla the day of his creep. May 3 will be no exception. Pomp and Circumstance is played as Martin is carried to the beach. The retinue will include Muldowney and Big Momma Llama from Bready Farms in Tuckahoe, who nods her head if Martin sees his shadow. Plus Trash Buster, the city's Canned Crusader and environmental symbol, who will clear the beach of any litter and sing his theme song, "Stand By Your Can."
• Members of the world's only Wind Chimes Band will perform "Brother Can You Spare a Chime," and other delights. 

The Public Relations Office of Ocean City urges everyone to take off work and join the celebration. For information, call 609-525-9300, after hours 609-364-4010.