Road Trip To Ocean City, NJ

Don't like Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day prognostications? Well, fair weather fans, take courage, for tomorrow we turn to Martin Z. Mollusk for our next forecast event…

May 4 is Martin Z. Mollusk Day in Ocean City, New Jersey. Martin is a hermit crab, and if he sees his shadow, summer will be a week early. May 4 is also National Homebrew Day, which will prevent the revelers from discovering that hermit crabs are not, in fact, mollusks.

From the Press of Atlantic City website...

Will the mollusk see his shadow?

Martin Z. Mollusk Day is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at the Moorlyn Terrace Beach. The Ocean City High School Band will play Pomp and Circumstance" as Martin is carried to the beach by Elvis performer Ted Prior. The group will include Suzanne Muldowney as Shelly, the Mermaid; Trash Buster, The Canned Crusader, the City's environmental symbol; Cool Joe Canine, the City's Ambassador of Woof Woof and other assorted characters.

For 31 years Martin has crept out onto the Moorlyn Terrace sands and attempted to see his shadow. If he does, summer comes one week early to Ocean City much to the delight of the business community, town folk and visitors. If he doesn't see his shadow, no big deal, it comes on time.

The crab will be met on the sands by Big Mama Llama of Bready Farms in Tuckahoe, the animal that authenticates Martin's creep. If Big Mama Llama shakes her head, it means that Martin has seen his shadow. This year's event will be dedicated to Mayor Bud Knight, who is retiring after many years. Knight will receive the first annual Martin Z. Mollusk Humanitarian Award for putting up with the event. Call 525-9300.

UPDATE: Martin Z. Mollusk did indeed see his shadow May 4. Read all about it here.