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 in 1997 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.