Burning of the Socks

The burning of the socks is a spring ritual for the boating community of Annapolis, Maryland. This event began 34 years ago in the Annapolis Sailyard and has become a traditional among many boating communities around the country.

Photo by Matthew S. Gunby, MSNBC

Each year folks gather to burn their socks in celebration of the start of a sockless season. It's a tradition to read the following poem...

Ode to the Sock Burners

By Jefferson Holland, Poet Laureate of Eastport, 1995

Them Eastport boys got an odd tradition

When the sun swings to its Equinoxical position,

They build a little fire down along the docks,

They doff their shoes and they burn their winter socks.

Yes, they burn their socks at the Equinox;

You might think that’s peculiar, but I think it’s not,

See, they’re the same socks they put on last fall,

And they never took ‘em off to wash ‘em, not at all…

So they burn their socks at the Equinox

In a little ol’ fire burning nice and hot.

Some think incineration is the only solution,

‘Cause washin’ ‘em contributes to the Chesapeake’s pollution.

Through the spring and the summer and into the fall,

They go around not wearin’ any socks at all,

Just stinky bare feet stuck in old deck shoes,

Whether out on the water or sippin’ on a brew.

So if you sail into the Harbor on the 20th of March,

And you smell a smell like Limburger sauteed with laundry starch,

You’ll know you’re downwind of the Eastport docks

Where they’re burning their socks for the Equinox.

I don't wear socks all winter unless I am running or wearing boots. I have become pretty familiar with people staring at my feet or asking me, wear are your socks? Make sure you don't get caught wearing socks at the Equinox...Welcome Spring!