"Slaughter Across the Water" Tug-of-War Festival in Annapolis
Details
Watch this cool video that explains the Tugfest!
We've been there the past three years! Let's do it once more with vigor, style, and a few good beers...
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It's time once again for us to celebrate the Tug-of-War between Eastport and Annapolis. We love this annual neighborhood event because it's cool, it's fun, and it's FREE!
This will be our third time attending the colorful "Slaughter Across the Water" spectacle to carry on the tradition of having FUN in Eastport. We're admittedly partisans for the Eastport side, so we'll be supporting the Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE) in its tug-of-war match with downtown Annapolis that's accompanied by a street festival called Tugfest.
Eastport is a lively historic neighborhood with a welcoming vibe and a fun local meet-up spot at Davis' Pub. We'll begin by gathering there for a pre-war drink (or two) before walking four blocks over to the tug-of-war zone and the Tugfest street festival. Our mission at Tugfest is to eat, drink, observe, cheer, have a good time, and wander around Eastport soaking up its ambience.
We will NOT be tugging in the war.
The tugging part is done by organized teams that register and pay a fee to participate.
The Tug-of-War Contest
Each year, the MRE professes its independence with a challenge to the City of Annapolis to meet on the high seas of the Gulf of Eastport. The Tug-of-War contest is popularly known as "Slaughter Across the Water".
Time: Crack 'O Noon until 5:00pm
This late-fall rite of passage includes multiple tug competitions held across the Gulf of Eastport (aka Spa Creek). Tug teams are made up of competing businesses, service organizations, and anyone else feeling the need to "tug it out".
They're positioned on opposite sides of Spa Creek at City Dock on the Annapolis side and at Second Street and Severn Avenue on the Eastport side. A special tug rope is draped across the water for the teams to grab and pull with all their collective strength. When a marker on the tug rope passes the mid-point of Spa Creek, the match is finished. Nobody gets pulled into the water, although the cheering crowds clearly lust for it...
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Concurrent with the action will be Tugfest, a street festival held right where the tug-of-war participants fight it out on the Eastport side of Spa Creek. You can watch the action while eating, drinking, and enjoying the festivities.
Tugfest is a vibrant street carnival of spectators, vendors, and live music. Admission is free, and food and drink are available for purchase. There will be musical performances and limited refreshments (i.e. BEER) available on the Annapolis side of the competition. But the real action occurs in Eastport, which is where our SHR group will be.
Why We Support the Maritime Republic of Eastport
The Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE) stands for everything that's great about America -- Independence! Attitude! Fighting for What You Believe! And Having FUN With a Purpose!
The MRE flag symbolizes its split from Annapolis with a broken banner reading: "We Like It This Way". You can see the bright yellow flag proudly flying from many houses in Eastport, along with the "MRE" sticker displayed on the cars of residents and visitors.
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Meet at Davis' Pub
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Davis' Pub at 400 Chester Ave. faces the harbor at Back Creek four blocks away from the tug-of-war and Tugfest.
It's a friendly neighborhood restaurant with outdoor tables and an Annopolis-style menu. Davis' has good beers, a relaxed vibe, and tasty burgers that make it a favorite local hang-out in Eastport.
Davis' Pub sponsored a tug team at last year's event. We'll be there rooting for them again by gathering at the pub before the warriors go off to battle. It's the perfect place to meet, have a drink, and head over to the Tugfest together...
Driving Directions from Washington
Beware of GPS directions that take you on a long complicated route through downtown Annapolis. Here is a much better and faster route:
From Rt. 50/301 Eastbound, take the Arris T. Allen/MD 665 exit (exit 22) and stay straight on MD 665. After about a mile, the road name changes to Forest Drive. Keep going on Forest Drive and turn left onto Hilltop Lane.
Follow Hilltop Lane (which changes name to Tyler Ave.) straight to Bay Ridge Ave. Turn left onto Bay Ridge Ave. and follow it as it turns onto Chesapeake Ave. Follow Chesapeake Ave. and turn right on 4th St. to Chester Ave. Davis' Pub is on the corner of 4th and Chester Ave.
The Eastport neighborhood has several one-way streets, so check the Google map above on the meetup notice to see how to get there. Street parking is available near the pub.
Call Jake at 703-798-8435 with any questions. I can't always hear my phone at events,, but you can try. I hope to see you there!
Come out and support the MRE and its motto:
Fun with a Purpose!
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