OCEAN CITY — The city's hermit-crab mascot will seek his shadow Friday morning in a local version of Groundhog Day.

The annual Martin Z. Mollusk Day celebration will take place at 11 a.m. on the beach at Ninth Street. According to the city, the hermit crab has successfully predicted an early summer every year for five decades — sometimes with the creative use of flashlights by his handlers.

Meteorologist “Nor’easter” Nick Pittman will host the ceremony. According to the city, Martin will instruct Pittman on the proper methods of weather forecasting and on the absence of inclement weather in Ocean City. The Cape Shore Chorus Sweet Adelines and a string band will provide musical accompaniment.

Martin Z. Mollusk Day dates to 1974, when the city's late spokesperson Mark Soifer created the early-season promotion by declaring that if Martin sees his shadow, summer will come a week early to Ocean City. Friday’s event will mark the 51st time Martin has delivered good news.

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GALLERY: Martin Z. Mollusk makes his summer prediction (2023)

On May 5, 2023, Ocean City residents (L-r) Marigold Dunn and her beach patrol dad Ryan, spy Martin Z. Mollusk entering the Moorlyn Terrace street beach area where he'll let the world know his prediction on the length of the summer season.

On May 5, 2023, on the Moorlyn Terrace street beach (l-r) Little Miss Ocean City Antonella DiAntonio places Martin Z. Mollusk onto the beach to see his shadow as Miss Ocean City Grace Oves watches to see the results.

An Ocean City EMT checks Martin Z. Mollusk’s blood pressure, heart rate and shell density prior to releasing the hermit crab to do his annual duty.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, Ocean City resident Grayson Thomas, 6, uses the power of his hand binoculars to get a better look of Martin Z. Mollusk making his summer season prediction.

On May 5, 2023, Ocean City residents (l-r) Michael and Noah Foglio, 5 and 3, members of the Little Wreckers class in Ocean City, watch as Martin Z. Mollusk is introduced to their group.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, seasonal residents Bob Moore and his son Henry, 2, came to the beach to find out Martin Z. Mollusk's prediction on the summer season.

On May 5, 2023, on the Moorlyn Terrace street beach in Ocean City, The Flatley family (l-r) Carter, 4, mom Marissa, and Brynn, 3, had the honor of carrying Martin Z. Mollusk onto the beach so he could make his summer season predicition.

On May 5, 2023, (center) Ocean City's Manager of Public Relations, Justin Juliano, holds up a chart given by the Ocean City Fire Department declaring that Martin Z. Mollusk had a clear bill of health and was fit to make his summer predicition.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area. Carter Flatley, 4, takes a peak at Martin Z. Mollusk.

On May 5, 2023, on the 8th street beach in Ocean City, (l-r) Carter Flatley, 4, and his sister Brynn, 3, had the honor of carrying Martin Z. Mollusk onto the beach so he could make his summer season predicition.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

On May 5, 2023, in Ocean City, Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow at the beach, bringing summer an extra week earlier to the area.

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