By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
OCEAN CITY — For the 48th consecutive year, Martin Z. Mollusk saw his shadow on the day that bears his name — assuring that once again summer will come a week early to Ocean City.
Martin Z. Mollusk Day is Ocean City’s version of Groundhog Day in which the city’s hermit-crab mascot is called upon to predict the arrival the city’s favorite season.
Being no fans of winter, Martin’s handlers sometimes provide a little artificial light to help Martin make the right call. Despite a cool and overcast sky Saturday morning, a light shone from above in the nick of time to help preserve Martin’s perfect record.
The ceremony was emceed by Ocean City Theatre Company alumna Angie Cocuzza and included the announcement of the winners of the Martin Z. Mollusk Coloring Contest.
Winners were Addison Bechtold, 8, Alexis Martinez, 7, and Natalie Gifford, 4, all Ocean City residents. The winners received a gift bag courtesy of Ocean City merchants.
Before the festivities began, Joe and Dana Gioffre were walking the boardwalk outside the Music Pier with daughters Lia, 7.5, and Tessa, 2. Tessa was a little reluctant to get close to the larger-than-life city mascots Martin Z. and Mollie Mollusk. Maybe a little less, ahem, crabby, Lia jumped right in and posed for a photo with the married mollusks, Miss Ocean City Mary Grace Jamison, Junior Miss Ocean City Natalie Argento and Little Miss Ocean City Antonella DiAntonio.
The young ladies serve as ambassadors for Ocean City at iconic events such as Night in Venice, the Baby Parade, Wacky Wednesdays and other activities.
Joe Gioffre, who was visiting from Wilmington, Del., said it was the family’s first time attending Martin Z. Mollusk Day but he has been visiting Ocean City his entire life.
“Since the week I was born,” he said, adding that the family likes to “go to the beach, walk along the boardwalk, get some ice cream, go on some rides.”
“Take a hike on the beach,” Lia added.
Down on the beach, the sandy stage was roped off to keep fans from getting too close to the celebrity crustaceans.
Corey Troutman and his wife, Jen, visiting from Harrisburg, Pa., were belly up to the rope to try to get a good look. With them were daughter Mya, 11, and sons Matthew, 8, and Max, 6. They came to the city to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Cocuzza sang the national anthem, thanking the crowd for assembling for one of the resort’s kickoff events.
Then it was go time. Cocuzza removed Martin Z. from his shelter and placed him inside a yellow ring atop an Ocean City beach towel and waited. And waited. Finally, with the help of a flashlight wielding Michael Rossbach Jr. from the Community Services Department, Cocuzza determined that Martin had seen his shadow, shouting the terrific news for all to hear.
“Summer is coming a week early,” she exclaimed.
Michael Allegretto, aide to Mayor Jay Gillian, summed up the excitement surrounding the annual event and fantastic prediction.
“I think it went great. We’re happy to be back doing events in person. Maritn Z. Mollusk Day always kicks off the summer early in Ocean City so it’s a great way to start it off,” he said.