Ocean City Weekend To Feature Spring Block Party, Martin Z. Mollusk Day, Wellness Event

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City will host a full slate of public events this weekend, led by the Spring Block Party on Saturday, May 2, Martin Z. Mollusk Day on Friday, May 1, and Community Wellness Day on Sunday, May 3.

The Spring Block Party will return to downtown Asbury Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. More than 350 crafters, food vendors and entertainers will line Asbury Avenue between Fifth Street and 14th Street for the annual event. According to the announcement, the block party draws tens of thousands of people to Ocean City for a pre-summer weekend.

Entertainment is scheduled at various spots along the avenue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lineup includes the Robert Boney Band at 7th Street, the Pennsport String Band at 13th Street and Big Daddy at 14th Street. New this year, the Ocean City Pops and Ocean City Theatre Company will alternate performances at 9th Street. Pony rides for children will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle grounds at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

The weekend begins Friday with Martin Z. Mollusk Day at 11 a.m. on the beach at Ninth Street. The event is Ocean City’s local take on Groundhog Day, with the city’s hermit-crab mascot checking for his shadow as a sign of an early summer. The tradition dates to 1974, when Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer created the promotion declaring that if Martin sees his shadow, summer will come a week early to Ocean City.

Special guest host for Friday’s event will be meteorologist “Nor’easter” Nick Pittman, and the String Band Novelties will provide music. The announcement says Friday’s event will mark the 53rd time Martin has delivered good news.

Community Wellness Day is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Ocean City Free Public Library. The keynote address from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. will be delivered by John-Edward Heath, described in the announcement as a Marine veteran and adaptive athlete. Beginning at 1 p.m., the event will include yoga, music, a Reiki demonstration, blood-pressure screenings, healthy snacks and tastings, and a discussion on mental health.

The weekend also includes Discount Days on Saturday and Sunday, with downtown and boardwalk merchants offering discounted merchandise in stores and at table sales between Sixth Street and 14th Street on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue. Street parking will be free at all metered spots and downtown parking lots, including the Transportation Center lot at Ninth Street and Haven Avenue and the municipal lots on the 700 and 800 blocks of Central Avenue. More information on parking is available at ocnj.us/parking.