<p>A time honored tradition in Annapolis, down at the docks, is to burn your stinky socks on the first day of spring. The diehard boaters there only wear socks from the autumnal to vernal equinox; socks are otherwise a sign that you are a sissy. It is their rite of spring signifying the change to boat shoes and shorts. </p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Is that spring in the air - or an old gym sock on fire? In sailing-crazy Annapolis, boaters celebrate the first day of spring with a ceremonial Burning of the Socks, signifying it will soon be warm enough to wear boat shoes without socks.“It’s a good idea to stand upwind,” warned John Morgan, 77.</p>
<p>The tradition began in the mid-1980s, when an employee at Annapolis Yacht Yard tired of his winter days doing engine maintenance on yachts and power boats. He stripped off his stinky socks, put them in a paint can with some lighter fluid and drank a longneck beer while looking forward to warmer days ahead. - see
<a href=“Examiner is back - Examiner.com”>Examiner is back - Examiner.com;