Every fall, Annapolis does battle with Eastport. They close the harbor for a several hours, stretch a rope 3/4 of a nautical mile across the harbor and, have a tug of war. The longest overwater “international” tug of war in the world.
In 1997, the city closed the Spa Creek Bridge under the guise of a “public works project” and essentially cut off Eastport from the city. The citizens of Eastport (Eastoortoricans) declared their independence and formed the Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE).
The winner of the tug of war gets the naming rights for the bridge for the next year (currently known as the Eastport Bridge).
Afterwards, they party! Live music, fresh oysters, copious libations are shared with friends, new and old.
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