Hermit Crab Seeks Shadow for 35th Year in Ocean City, NJ
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Not all Americans anxiously wait for Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction for summer’s arrival on February 2nd. Americans living in Ocean City, NJ prefer to rely on local celebrity Martin Z. Mollusk’s shadow instead.
Martin Z Mollusk, a delightful hermit crab living in Ocean City, NJ, will make his yearly “creep” along the beach when the 35th Annual Martin Z Mollusk Day festivities get underway 11 a.m. Thursday, May 7 on the Moorlyn Terrace Beach opposite the Music Pier.
Held since 1974, Martin Z Mollusk Day is Ocean City’s version of Groundhog Day, which is celebrated on February 2 in both the United States and Canada. Substituting the much larger and fatter Punxsutawney Phil with a more appropriate seashore inhabitant known throughout the area as Martin Z Mollusk, Ocean City’s Director of Public Relations Mark Soifer has once again pulled out all the stops for Martin Z Mollusk Day.
According to Soifer, who also serves as Martin Z Mollusk’s spiritual advisor and chef, The World’s Only Wind Chime Band, which made its “critically reviewed” inaugural appearance at the island’s Doo Dah Parade in April, will introduce it’s Ode to Martin Mollusk, a three-minute symphony of Wind Chimes that was written and composed for the occasion. “It is the first and only symphony ever composed for Wind Chimes by the talented but elusive Ocean Breeze.”
The Ocean City High School Band will be on hand to perform Pomp and Circumstance as Martin is ushered to the beach by Elvis Performer, Ted Prior, who will perform “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hermit Crab” and Shelly the South Jersey Mermaid, played by Suzanne Muldowney who will lead those in attendance in singing the event’s theme song, “Some Enchanted Morning”, a parody of “Some Enchanted Evening.”
Image via Wikipedia
Suzanne Muldowney dressed as Shelly the South Jersey Mermaid, pictured here with Dan Gaspar, an Air Circus employee, will be on hand at this year’s Martin Z Mollusk Day to lead spectator’s in singing “Some Enchanted Morning.”
Following the same theory of Groundhog Day, Martin will emerge from the safety of his home and creep across the beach to make his prediction for when summer will arrive in America’s Greatest Family Resort.
As Martin creeps his way across the beach Big Mama Llama, from Bready Farms in Tuckahoe, NJ will announce whether Martin’s shadow is visible with a shake of her head. If the Llama shakes her head it means that Martin has seen his shadow and summer will come one week early to Ocean City. Big Mama Llama’s decision will then be verified Inspector Clueslow’s trusty magnifying glass.
The tiny little crustacean has a rather impressive track record for predicting when this will happen according to Mark Soifer, the Director of Public Relations for the resort island. “Martin has been very consistent. Over the past 34 years, he has seen his shadow 33 times. Once, he saw a partial shadow and sure enough summer arrived 3 ½ days early.”
4 Comments
I don’t like the photo, the woman doesn’t wear hijab!
First, what has islamic clothing have to do with the story? Second …nice story CT Aisyah.
I’ve been to Ocean City, New Jersey for a few of these events. Everything is so lively down there and a fun atmosphere. Love her mermaid outfit haha. I remember Martin the crustacean too! This is a nice story it brought me back to a few years..thanks CT.
I don’t believe hijabs have anything to do with mermaid costumes either? Confused by that..it’s a cute photograph thought.