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Stranger than Fiction: The Burning of the Socks
The Punkin Chunkin Competition? Sign me up.
The Air Guitar World Championships? Booked my flight.
Annapolitans burning their socks on the vernal equinox? Fortunately we don’t have to travel far for that one.
The Burning of the Socks origin laps at the shores of Eastport, Maryland, just 60 miles from Virginia State Parks’ nearest outpost at Mason Neck. The story goes something like this:
1978. Annapolis resident and boat builder Bob Turner, disgruntled after a particularly harsh Mid-Atlantic winter, walks out of work on the first day of spring and invites his friends and co-workers to burn their socks in a gathering that was part happy-hour and part Mayan ceremony.
Turner had convinced his buddies to doff their socks and cast them into a fire in celebration of warmer weather, and with it—sailing season. Turner said to the Capital Gazette in an interview earlier this year, “We were coming out of one of the worst winters. It was the equinox, it was a gorgeous sunny day.”
Well the story goes that Turner and his buddies had such a good time that they did it again the following year. “Not only did I never have any idea it would catch on like it has, at the time I didn’t think it would happen twice,” said Turner. Ah, a tale as old as time.
Not only did it happen twice, but it happened over and over until ’85 when Turner decided to grow the tradition by inviting other marine businesses in on the fun. “I went around to the marine businesses, sail lofts and boatyards and invited them to come on down” said Turner.
Fast forward to 2004--the New York Times ran the story, and the tradition spread like... well... fire.
Burn you tired and worn winter socks and bring a new pair as a charitable donation for those in need. The event will start at 10:00 a.m. and after the rabble rousing and sock burning, Rangers will lead the first guided paddling trips of the year. You’re welcome to bring your own boat or rent a craft from the park. For more info, click here. Directions to York River State Park can be found here.
Articles sourced:
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.
