TheSailingChannel covers the 2006 Annapolis-Maritime Republic of Eastport Tug-of-War: MRE Women, sponsored by Lewnes Steakhouse versus Annapolis Women. We are REPOSTING this podcast because our original post pointed to a bad URL that did not deliver the video. We had over 4,000 requests for downloads that went to this bad URL, so we felt it was worth reposting so our subscribers can get the video automatically. We apologize if you have already successfully downloaded the file. You will also note that most of our videos now include a still frame advertisement at the end. We are trying to raise money to produce and acquire more quality sailing videos without having to charge a subscription fee, so please support this effort and keep your access free by clicking on the ads. — TheSailingChannel Staff. Once a year, local and national attention focuses on the Annapolis Harbor — or, as some like to call it, the Gulf of Eastport — for a competition unlike any in the world: the Slaughter Across the Water. It is the longest tug of war over a body of water in the world. The Tug is staged between the Maritime Republic of Eastport, the MRE, and Downtown Annapolis, featuring a 1700’ rope, over 350 tuggers, and more than a thousand spectators. The Tug transforms Downtown Annapolis and Eastport with a festival-like atmosphere that includes food vendors, cheering crowds, and all sorts of local color. The Tug draws on the rivalry between Eastport and the City of Annapolis, with civic pride on both sides allowing this zany event to improve more than community morale. The MRE has raised more than $180,000 for charities over the past eight years. Read more about the 2006 Tug... What is MRE? Like any great movement, the concept for the Maritime Republic of Eastport began in a local pub over a couple mugs of beer. The prime mission was to find a creative way to promote and encourage the patronage of Eastport businesses that were destined to be hurt by the Maryland State Highway ...