Ocean City's weather-forecasting hermit crab "sees" his shadow

Hey, if a groundhog in Pennsylvania can predict the weather, then certainly a hermit crab in Ocean City can do the same thing, too.

Right?

Ocean City's famous weather-forecasting hermit crab, Martin Z. Mollusk, had been perfect for 52 straight years in predicting summer’s early arrival in the resort town by “seeing” his shadow.

Naturally, the pressure was on when the loveable crustacean crawled onto the beach at 9th Street on Friday morning to try to stretch his flawless weather-predicting streak to 53 years.

Amid cheers and applause, he did just that – he saw his shadow. Really, folks, were there any doubts?

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

“Martin and I go back a long time. He went to school for meteorology, believe it or not,” Pittman cracked of the crab’s weather credentials.

    It's official: Summer will arrive early in Ocean City.
  

As if to back up claims that Martin is actually forecasting the early arrival of summer, Pittman declared, “It’s always sunny in Ocean City.”

Leading up to Martin’s big moment, Ocean City firefighter and EMT Chris Medolla comically checked Martin’s “vital signs” to make sure he was healthy enough to handle his epic forecasting duties.

“He’s fit for duty,” Medolla announced to the crowd of amused spectators.

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.

    Ocean City firefighter and EMT Chris Medolla comically checks the hermit crab's "vital signs."
  

While Phil’s predictions aren’t perfect, Martin has never disappointed in 53 years of weather forecasting. He always sees his shadow – somehow.

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, Friday morning’s weather included plenty of sunshine and gorgeous blue skies, providing the ideal conditions for Martin to see his shadow, without the assistance of any flashlights.

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.

The real hermit crab was safely secured in a small box carried by 6-year-old Brynn Flatley. Brynn gently placed the crab on a towel on the beach for his all-important weather prediction.

“It’s fun. He’s seeing his shadow,” Brynn said of her duties as Martin’s guardian.

    Brynn Flatley, 6, delicately holds the hermit crab after the ceremony.
  

Brynn’s mother, Marissa Flatley, smiled while listening to her daughter. The Flatley family, of Mays Landing, owns hermit crabs and has supplied the crustacean for Ocean City’s Martin Z. Mollusk Day festivities for four years in a row.

Michael Allegretto, aide to Mayor Jay Gillian, introduced Martin as the “guest of honor,” setting the stage for a rock star-like welcome for the hermit crab from the crowd.

Sitting on the beach waiting for Martin to make his grand appearance were 13 children from Ocean City’s “Little Rec-ers,” a recreation program for 3- to 5-year-old kids.

The children said they hoped that Martin would see his shadow. But 5-year-old Eve Hutchinson was expecting the hermit crab to perform in another way.

“He loves to dance,” Eve said with a cute laugh.

Well, maybe some dance steps could be incorporated in Martin’s weather-forecasting antics next year.

    Ocean City's orange-costumed mascot, Martin Z. Mollusk, parades onto the beach with his wife, Mollie S. Mollusk, right behind him.
  

    The Mum's the Word band of Philadelphia entertains the spectators.
  

    A digital sign in front of the Ocean City Music Pier advertises Martin Z. Mollusk Day.