Martin Z. Mollusk "Sees" His Shadow, Heralding Summer's Early Arrival at Shore

He is part prognosticator, part prestidigitator.

Ocean City's famous weather-forecasting hermit crab, Martin Z. Mollusk, had been perfect for 51 straight years in predicting summer’s early arrival in the resort town by “seeing” his shadow.

So, a lot was on the line when the loveable crustacean strode, er, crawled, onto the beach at 9th Street on Friday morning to try to stretch his flawless weather-predicting streak to 52 years.

Amid great fanfare, he did just that – he saw his shadow. Really, folks, was there any doubt?

Local meteorologist “Nor’easter” Nick Pittman, who served as host of the madcap ceremony, claimed that Martin told him that he “definitely saw his shadow.”

“Here we go – sunshine and 80 all summer in Ocean City,” Pittman declared to the amusement of spectators on the beach watching Martin’s antics.

Minutes earlier, Ocean City EMT Thomas Dahl had checked Martin's “vital signs” and pronounced the hermit crab healthy enough to handle his stressful weather-predicting duties.

“This was my first crab,” Dahl said with a straight face of how he made sure Martin was in pristine shape.

The Martin Z. Mollusk Day tradition dates back to 1974, when the legendary late Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer created the early-season promotion by declaring that if Martin sees his shadow, then summer will come a week early to Ocean City.

It is a spoof of Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog that emerges from hibernation every February to predict whether there will be six more weeks of winter.

While Phil’s predictions aren’t perfect, Martin has never disappointed. Pittman explained that Martin is an expert in weather forecasting.

“Martin, believe it or not, did study meteorology way back in 1975 and graduated from Crustacean U,” Pittman pointed out.

Complementing Martin’s expertise as a prognosticator are his skills as a prestidigitator – sometimes magically conjuring up his shadow, even on cloudy days, with the help of flashlights held by his handlers.

However, on Friday morning the sun peeked through some light clouds just in time for Martin to see his shadow, without the assistance of any flashlights.

    Ocean City's costumed mascots, Martin Z. and Mollie S. Mollusk, parade down the beach to build the excitement.
  

The festivities began when the city’s costumed mascots, Martin Z. Mollusk and his wife, Mollie S. Mollusk, paraded down the beach while serenaded by the colorfully dressed Mum’s the Word string band from Philadelphia and the Cape Shore Chorus Sweet Adelines.

Ocean City resident, Bill Costello, laughed while watching the wacky spectacle unfold from the Boardwalk to the beach.

“This is my first time here. This is my rookie experience,” Costello joked.

Costello said the Martin Z. Mollusk Day ceremony fits in perfectly with Ocean City’s image as a family-friendly tourist town. Ocean City markets itself as “America’s Greatest Family Resort.”

“This is why we come here,” Costello said. “This is fantastic. This is just an extension of family.”

Samantha Hammond, of Linwood, showed her 19-month-old son, Levi, the costumed Martin Z. and Mollie S. Mollusk characters while the mascots did some entertaining on the Boardwalk.

Hammond said she had never heard of Martin Z. Mollusk Day, but was glad that her son had a chance to watch the festivities.

“Wow. That’s so cool,” Hammond said when she was told about the weather-forecasting crustacean.

    The Mum's the Word string band performs underneath the Ocean City Music Pier sign announcing Martin Z. Mollusk Day.
  

Later, the costumed Martin Z. and Mollie S. Mollusk characters stepped aside to let a real hermit crab crawl inside a special area of the beach to see his shadow.

The real hermit crab is owned by Marissa Flatley, of Mays Landing. Flatley’s 6-year-old son, Carter, carried the crab, while her 5-year-old daughter, Brynn, watched her brother.

“He’s walking a lot, so he seems to be healthy and happy,” Carter said of the crustacean.

Marissa Flatley explained that her family actually has five hermit crabs at home. She has supplied the crab for Ocean City’s Martin Z. Mollusk Day festivities for three years in a row.

She confided that there were some anxious moments Friday morning before the crab crawled out of his carrier to see his shadow.

“I was worried that he was going to sit on the towel and not move,” she said, laughing.

    Mays Landing resident Marissa Flatley, her son, Carter, and daughter, Brynn, pose for a family photo with their real hermit crab that appeared during the festivities.
  

    Ocean City EMT Thomas Dahl comically checks the hermit crab's "vital signs."
  

    Samantha Hammond, of Linwood, lets her 19-month-old son, Levi, meet Martin Z. and Mollie S. Mollusk.
  

    The Cape Shore Chorus serenades the crowd.