Busy summer of activities ahead in Ocean City
OCEAN CITY — It’s perhaps a bit unscientific, but renowned meteorological mollusk Martin Z. is poised to make what could be a milestone prediction May 5 when he comes out of winter hibernation to determine if summer will come a week early to America’s Greatest Family Resort for the 50th straight time.
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 of the island’s favorite season.
Being no fans of winter, Martin’s handlers sometimes provide a little artificial light to help him make the right call, so don’t be surprised if he sees his shadow.
The ceremony is set for 11 a.m. on the beach at Ninth Street.
According to local observers, Martin Z. Mollusk, Ocean City’s relatively famous hermit crab, made his first, and what turned out to be historic, creep onto the Ninth Street beach on a windy March day in the early 1970s. Martin was fulfilling a lifelong dream to be recognized as a weather forecaster. He didn’t know then that he would become a miracle worker.
“Martin will seek his shadow for the 50th time on May 5 this year, and without fail he has brought summer to Ocean City a week early every year since 1974,” city spokesman Doug Bergen said.
Martin’s creator — Ocean City’s legendary public relations guru Mark Soifer — did concede that Martin saw only a half-shadow one year with summer coming only 3½ days early that season.
City officials will be running the show with the help of Miss Ocean City Grace Oves, Little Miss Ocean City Antonella DiAntonio and Junior Miss Ocean City Lyla Clark, who will serve as ambassadors for the resort at iconic events such as the Unlocking of the Ocean, Night in Venice, the Twins Contest, Baby Parade and weekly Wacky Wednesday activities.
“Martin Z. Mollusk Day is a gateway to another season of family-friendly events in Ocean City with many of them created and promoted by Soifer,” Bergen said.
Their next big gig, the Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge, is set for May 26. Participants dress in business suits, carry brief cases and march into the ocean to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance at noon at Moorlyn Terrace to welcome the new season.
“City and Ocean City Beach Patrol officials will officially Unlock the Ocean at noon on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend this year, and that will make way for the Business Persons Plunge,” Bergen said.
Night in Venice, the city’s annual boat parade and home-decorating contest, is one of the largest in the world, floating off from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge and continuing in and out of the lagoons to Tennessee Avenue. A fireworks display will light up the sky to cap off the evening. Start time is 6 p.m. July 29.
The misses will judge the Twins Contest on Aug. 2. Prizes will be awarded to those who look the most and least alike. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the contest is set for 6 p.m. in front of the Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace.
A favorite for all ages, the 113th annual Baby Parade is set for Aug. 10. It is one of the oldest baby parades in the country. Registration begins in June at ocnj.us/babyparade and 10:30 a.m. the day of the event at the Sports and Civic Center at Sixth Street.
The Spring Block Party follows Martin Z. Mollusk Day, set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Fifth to 14th streets May 6 on Asbury Avenue featuring more than 350 crafters, food vendors and other street fair attractions. Boardwalk and downtown merchant table sales will take place both days as well.
Other events coming up this month include the Memorial Beach Challenge for 31 Heroes on May 27 and the Memorial Day Service at 11 a.m. May 29 at Veterans Memorial Park, between Fifth and Sixth streets on Wesley Avenue.
The tiara-wearing trio will also serve as judges for the weekly Wacky Wednesday activities, which kick off June 28 with taffy sculpting at the Music Pier. Participants young and old are tasked with using their creativity to shape and sculpt Shriver’s Saltwater Taffy into a unique masterpiece. The contest is free but limited to the first 250 participants.
Wacky Wednesday continues from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. weekly with such themes as french fry sculpting and the crowd favorite, the pie-eating contest.
The girls will also judge the Freckle Contest on July 5 and wrap up the summer with the Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant and Hermit Crab Races.
The original beauty contest for crustaceans, the event challenges families, children, businesses and organizations to enter their unique crustacean habitat in this annual contest. The winner receives the Coveted Cucumber Rind Cup and gets to walk down a flowery runway. Free registration starts at 5:30 p.m. at Sixth Street beach. Contest begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 19.
Finally the ambassadors will oversee the crowning of their successors and passing of the crown to the new representatives.
The Miss Ocean City Pageant is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Music Pier and consists of an interview, talent, swimsuit, evening gown and on-stage question.
The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant, for girls ages 8 to 11, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 18 and the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant, for girls ages 12 to 16, for 7 p.m. Aug. 19.
Special events are planned for almost every day of the summer.
Mummers Night brings strolling string bands to the Boardwalk every Tuesday evening starting in July. The weekly Farmers Market on the Ocean City Tabernacle grounds is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday starting June 14. Family Night entertainment on the Boardwalk takes place every Thursday evening starting in July.
The Summer Concert Series at the Ocean City Music Pier celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and includes acts that range from Southside Johnny to Kenny G. The Ocean City Pops has a complete schedule of concerts that appeals to every musical taste and includes featured artists such as Kristin Chenoweth, Judy Collins, Jackie Evancho and even “Disney Princesses.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
