Contact:
Elvia Thompson, Deputy Minister of Propaganda
Maritime Republic of Eastport
410-990-9025
elvia@stellarpresentations.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MRE TO MARCH ON ANNAPOLIS

Maritime Republic Patriots to Issue Challenge
For 5th Annual Tug of War
Ten Local Charities to Benefit

On Friday, Sept. 27, patriots from the Maritime Republic of Eastport will march from Tug of War Headquarters in Eastport to the opposing side to officially issue the annual Tug of War challenge to Annapolis.

The public is invited to meet at the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Eastport at 5:30 p.m. to begin the march to Seán Donlon Irish Pub and Restaurant on West Street. The proprietors of Seán Donlon have risen to the occasion and will spearhead the Annapolis side's attempt to win the coveted trophy from the Maritime Republic of Eastport.

The 5th Annual Tug of War, also known as the Slaughter Across the Water, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at the Crack O' Noon. The charity event will feature nine tugs with teams pulling a custom-made rope across Historic Annapolis Harbor from 2nd Street in Eastport to Susan C. Campbell Park in Annapolis. The rope was custom-made for the MRE Tug of War by Yale Cordage. Each tug will have approximately 30 per side, so that total number of participant is in excess of 500 people. The harbor will be closed to boat traffic for the two hours of the event.

The Tug of War Committee has selected 10 charities from the more than 30 applications to benefit from the funds raised by the event. Last year $20,400 raised for charitable organizations, bringing the aggregate total of funds raised for charity in the Tug of War's four years to $62,387. This fulfills the Maritime Republic of Eastport's commitment to "Fun with a Purpose."

The MRE Tug Committee has set $25,000 as this year's goal for funds raised for the following charities:

• Annapolis Maritime Museum - for dock repair and improvements to grounds
• Chesapeake Children's Museum - to assist with renovations and support children's programs
• Christmas in April -to sponsor the rehabilitation of a house in Annapolis Eastport Wooden Boat Program- to purchase lumber to replace the chine & hull of 'Miss Lonesome'
• Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race - to promote awareness and preservation of the Bay
• Homes for America, Inc. - to promote affordable housing through a revolving fund program
• OIC - to assist employment-oriented adult basic education activities, including English as a Second Language
• Reading is Fundamental -to purchase books for Eastport Elementary School students
• Salvation Army - General Operating Funds
• S.P.C.A. - General Operating Funds

The Tug Teams Line-Up (first listed represents Annapolis, second represents Eastport):

• The Buck Stops Here Tug - Sandy Spring Bank vs. Annapolis Bank & Trust
• West Meets East Tug - Annapolis Bar & Restaurants vs. Boatyard Bar & Grill/ Davis' Pub Syndicate
• Battle of the Burgee - Annapolis Yacht Club vs. Eastport Yacht Club
• Chicks Tug - Junior League Women vs. Lewnes' MRE Women
• Guns & Hoses Tug - Annapolis Police Department vs. Annapolis Fire Department
• Testosterone Tug V - Annapolis Men's Team vs. Eastport Men's Team
• Navy vs. Army Tug - Naval Academy Rugby Team vs. US Army National Guard
• Health Clubs Tug - Golds Gym vs. Big Vanilla
• Co-Ed Tug - Annapolis vs. Eastport

Anyone who would like to participate in the Tug, sponsor a team, or just provide funds for the charities, should contact Co-Chairs Jane Cox or Chris Earls by sending an email to tug@12283.com.

Background

The tongue-in-cheek "breakaway republic," the Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE), was founded in 1998 as a creative way to promote and encourage the patronage of Eastport businesses that were destined to be hurt when the Spa Creek bridge was closed for repair. The citizens of Eastport took advantage of their isolation from the mainland in Annapolis to sever their social, political and economic ties as well. The goal was to foster a spirit of independence and merriment in a manner befitting the character of Eastport and at the same time, to celebrate Eastport's proud heritage and quality of life. So the Maritime Republic of Eastport was founded on Super Bowl Sunday, 1998, when patriots residing on the Horn Point peninsula rose up in revolt against the snobbish suppression of "Annapolis Proper" across the harbor.

Since that time, MRE has become a force in Eastport, doing good for the community and having fun at the same time. MRE meetings and activities are open to all.

The Tug of War draws on the rivalry between Eastport, the maritime neighborhood across Spa Creek from downtown Annapolis, and the city itself, with civic pride on both sides of the creek making this zany event more than a community fun day. The family-friendly event draws crowds on both sides of the harbor, all vying for bragging rights for the next year.

MRE sponsors the event as part of its commitment to make the entire community a better place to live. With the financial backing of other private groups and businesses, the Tug is an outstanding example of how to supplement local, state and federal government activities.

Official Challenge of War

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