MRE, the Maritime Republic of Eastport, is an enlightened democracy based in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, Maryland, has become a force in the community since its founding on Super Bowl Sunday 1998. Doing good for the community and having fun at the same time – “fun with a purpose,” is our mission, albeit with a quirky and sometime bizarre way of carrying it out.
Thanks for all those that turned out for last week's Happy Hour!
Looks Like Next Happy Hour will be Tuesday - Sept. 21st
(Not a meeting - a no pressure gathering)
7 - 8 PM at the (place to be determined!)
Drink and Food Specials
Raffle and Door Prizes
Come view the newest tug video and meet and greet the MRE power-elite!The Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE) Announces
Date for Thirteenth Annual Tug of War.(Eastport, Maryland, August 18th 2010) - The MRE will once again instigate the annual Tug of War (known as the "Slaughter across the Water") and "Tugfest" on Saturday, November 6th, 2010. Time: Crack 'O Noon until 5:00pm. This annual rite of late-fall will include five tug competitions held across the Gulf of Eastport (a.k.a.: Spa Creek). Tug teams are made up of competing businesses, service organizations and anyone else feeling the need to "tug it out". They' ll be positioned on opposite sides of Spa Creek at Susan B. Campbell Park (City Dock) on the Annapolis side and at Second Street and Severn Avenue on the Eastport side. Concurrent with the action will be Tugfest, a street festival held in Eastport. The Tugfest is a combination of vendors, children's activities and live music. Admission to the event is free and food and drink are available for purchase. There will also be musical performances and limited refreshments available on the Annapolis side of the competition.
Mike Pachler, MRE Premier Tel: 410-916-6400 - premier@themre.org
Wendy Marxen, MRE Minister of Propaganda Tel: 443-994-7619 - propaganda@themre.org
About the Tug and The Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE*)
Billed as the longest International** Tug of War over water in the world , The Tug of War was originally conceived by the residents of Eastport thirteen years ago when the City of Annapolis used the excuse of a "public works project" to close the Spa Creek bridge that leads to Eastport from Annapolis. This unprovoked act of aggression on the part of the City of Annapolis had the effect of cutting off Eastport residents and businesses from the rest of the city. The somewhat fractious citizens of Eastport, feeling the sting of rejection by The City and, perhaps, somewhat emboldened by the generous pouring habits of a local bartender, decided to declare war against The City of Annapolis and secede. Thus, to the rallying cries of " Up The Republic" , the micro-nation known as The Maritime Republic of Eastport was born. In the ensuing years, although the Spa Creek Bridge has since re-opened, the once persecuted citizens of Eastport (Eastport-O-Ricans) have yearly declared a symbolic War of Independence against The City of Annapolis lest anyone forget this dark period of Annapolis-Eastport relations. The Tug of War, a celebration of the geographical and, some would argue, philosophical differences between Eastport and Annapolis, is a not-to-be missed maritime event unlike any other.
*The MRE is a registered 501(c)3 organization. All funds raised by the Tug and other MRE events are distributed to various charitable organizations in the Annapolis area.
To date, over $275,000.00 has been raised.**While other cities may claim to host a longer Tug, this is the only international Tug competition over water in the world. To read more about the history of The Maritime Republic of Eastport please visit here.
Eastport 2020?
photo courtesy Bay Weekly
