The 1st Annual Lake Texoma Burning of the Socks and Switch for Flip Flops will be March 19, 2016. This is a new regional event that you won’t want to miss! This unique event invites everyone out to various marinas and resorts around the lake as mariners welcome the arrival of spring.

The Burning of the Socks is a tradition started in the 1970’s thanks to Bob Turner who managed the Annapolis Yacht Yard. At winter’s end, Captain Turner upon leaving his work on the first day of spring, decided to burn his socks in tribute to the coming warmer weather. Turner’s personal custom caught on with others and became an annual tradition.

Over the years, the tradition has expanded along the east and west coasts and in between. Mariners all over the country will be holding sock burning events to shed heavy winter wear for summer attire. In Texoma Flip Flop season begins with the Spring Equinox which marks the moment when the center of the sun appears directly overhead at the Equator.

The Lake Texoma Burning of the Socks Switch to Flip Flops Celebration will be a day full of family friendly fun. Along with the burning of the socks there will be BBQ smoke outs, chili cook-offs, hot dog roast, golf cart parades, a Polar Bear Plunge, yard sale and live entertainment. Here is a little preview of the events planned around the lake.

Bridgeview Marina will be holding a yard sale throughout the day. Beginning at 11 am, a socks decorated “Golf Cart Parade” will wind around the resort. At noon they will have a fire pit in front of the restaurant’s outdoor patio to burn those old, smelly, winter socks and put on flip flops.

At Buncombe Creek Resort Marina the activities will begin at 11 am with a Chili Cook Off. If you would like to participate call them at (580) 564-2543. In the afternoon you don’t want to miss the Polar bear Plunge and Dunking Booth. Marshall County Undersheriff Danny Cryer has volunteered to be dunked…get your place in line! The car show will begin around 11 am. There will be a fire pit for burning of the socks and two bands will be playing to keep the excitement going all day. One band will play from 11 am – 2 pm and the other from 5 – 8 pm. A dance floor will be set up so get those dancing flip flops ready.

Cedar Mills Marina and Resort will hold a Spring Equinox celebration with a Boat Open House from 2 – 4 pm, burning of the socks from 4 – 6 pm. The Irish Celebration at Pelican’s Landing begins at 5 pm with Irish food, adult beverages and the Fortunate Sons Band.

The activities at Flowing Wells Resort and Marina will be from 5 – 10 pm in the picnic area. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided. Bring your beach blankets, chairs and BYOB. A big bonfire will be ready for ridding yourself of those old winter socks. Be sure to bring some nice pretty new ones for the sock drive for locals in need.

Highport Marina will begin an evening of activities with a bonfire at the launch ramp area. BBQ Sandwiches and chips will be provided. An “After-Burn” party will be held at Mo’s with drink specials and entertainment.

Walnut Creek will be holding their annual Smoke Out cookout. All participants are welcome. Categories this year will be Chicken, Ribs, Brisket and Beans. Register with the office. A bon fire will be ready for you to burn your socks

POEM It's a tradition to read the following poem...

Ode to the Sock Burners (Edited a little, follow the link for the original)
By Jefferson Holland, Poet Laureate of Eastport, 1995

Them Texoma folks 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 Lake Texoma'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 a Marina on the 19th of March,
And you smell a smell like Limburger sauteed with laundry starch,
You’ll know you’re downwind of the Lake Texoma docks
Where they’re burning their socks for the Equinox.