Ring in the new year Lower Shore style at muskrat dive
The Town of Princess Anne and Somerset County are working together to host the annual Midnight Muskrat Dive to bring in 2017.
The event was founded in 2012 as a free family-friendly event celebrating the New Year, according to a news release.
Taking place in Historic Downtown Princess Anne along Somerset Avenue in front of the Washington Inn and Tavern, the event will begin with food, spirits and beverages, a bike raffle and live music and dancing, according to town officials. There will also be a New Year’s resolution board, fortune telling for 2017, a bounce house, face painting, photo booth and the Marshall Muskrat mascot.
LAST YEAR'S EVENT: Marshall P. Muskrat dives into the new year
The Washington Inn and Tavern will be taking reservations for that night until the restaurant closes at 9 p.m. That night, the venue will also be debuting its newest item: the Eastern Shore Game and Muskrat Pie.
The bar will remain open until 12:30 p.m.
After 9 p.m., food will be sold on the porch of the tavern until midnight. Food sold will include pulled pork and chili, fresh oysters shucked on-the-spot by local watermen, Smith Island Cake and beverages.
Ice cream, coffee and hot chocolate will be for sale at Rebecca’s Ice Cream parlor.
PHOTOS: The scene at the muskrat dive in Princess Anne
The event will also have every New Year’s accessory someone could need, including New Year’s hats; noisemakers; and glow necklaces, bracelets and sticks. There will also be free sparkling cider to toast with at midnight.
Merchants and vendors will be participating as well.
As the New Year rings in, the famous muskrat will “zip” across Somerset Avenue at midnight.
Somerset Avenue will be closed from Broad Street to Prince William Street from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
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IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Midnight Muskrat Dive
WHERE: Somerset Avenue in Princess Anne
WHEN: Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. to Jan. 1 at 1 a.m.
INFO: www.facebook.com/MidnightMuskratDive
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In Princess Anne, the muskrat drops at midnight