Spring has sprung and to mark the arrival of the annual sailing season in Deltaville about 450 people came out to burn their socks Saturday at the annual sock burning/oyster roast.
Karen Soule said that the eighth annual event is a way of saying thank you to a community that supports and encourages maritime history and commerce.
“The maritime tradition of sock burning in the Chesapeake Bay region involves burning socks on or around the spring equinox to symbolize the end of winter and start of the boating season,” she said.
“We are encouraging the burning of new socks as we do not want the smell involved in burning old socks,” said Soule.
The tradition is believed to have started in the late 1970s, with boatbuilder Bob Turner and his colleagues in Annapolis, Md., deciding to burn their socks after a snowy winter, marking the end of sock-wearing until the cold weather returned.
Laura and Scott Ruff of Hartfield threw socks on the fire and Laura commented that the event is a fun annual event that they use to kick off the arrival of spring.
The band “Mobjacks,” that plays regularly at Mobjack Tavern in Gloucester, kept the event hopping as roasted Rappahannock River oysters were enjoyed by all.
There's more to this story...
Are you a subscriber? Log in
Many more news articles, photos and ads are available
only to those who subscribe to our
printed newspaper or our online e-Edition.
Pick up a copy or Subscribe today!
| e-Edition | Printed version |
