Gatsby, Wickets and Champagne

So this Saturday holds in store the perennial grudge match between St. John's College and the U.S. Naval Academy in that most violent and physical of sports: Croquet. It's kind of an Annapolis tradition - the Mids turn out to face the Johnnies every year on the great lawn on St John' campus amidst a sea of Annapolis' landed gentry, many of whom show up in 1920's suits or flapper dresses and hats in true "lawn party" fashion (though formal attire is by no means required). The champagne corks pop and the picnics and strawberries come out at 1pm (and the game starts as well, though for many it's an afterthought) and the party goes well into the night, this year with a encore of Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" (You'll know it as the basis for the musical My Fair Lady) put on by St. John's Theater Troupe. For the more "cotillionesque" crowd, there's a formal dance later in the evening, and much celebrating through the wee hours thereafter. Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention...it's all free. Well, you bring the food and drink, they supply the croquet and silliness.

Ok people, really this is a lot more fun than it sounds. The event is covered yearly by Sports Illustrated and GQ among others, who knows who you'll see there. The Johnnies show up every year in a new uniform (last year it was a team rendition of Napoleon Dynamite, repleat with Vote For Pedro picketers on the sidelines), and, when in dire need, they even bring out a "croquet mistress" with a tray of drinks to distract the attentions of their opponents, the all-too-straight-laced Naval Academy Midshipmen. Coolers of Red Stripe and Miller Lite are ubiquitous, as is general mirth and Big Band style music.

Elle and I will be there on Saturday afternoon, champagne, beer, strawberries and pic-a-nic basket in hand. All are welcome to join...the more the merrier. Give us a shout if you're up for it!

Here are some directions, info, et al.