Visitors navigating around Baltimore?s Inner Harbor today and tomorrow may not perceive events to be as hectic as New Year?s Eve in Times Square, but they are sure to be a close second.
Monee Cottman, Communications Associate at the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA), laughingly puts it this way, “The harbor is gonna be jumping this weekend!”
So what is all the hoopla about? And why is this seasoned professional so excited?
Baltimore?s annual Waterfront Festival is in full swing this weekend at the West Wall of the Inner Harbor. For those who are not familiar, the West Wall is directly across the intersection of Light Street and Conway, just south of Harborplace. The Festival is in its 4th year as a weekend-long celebration in honor of the Volvo Ocean Race and its keen competitors who, with their brightly adorned sailing yachts, have touched down on this 5th leg of the around-the-world race, from Rio de Janeiro to Baltimore.
The Festival features a sea of white canvas tents gleaming in the sunlight, and offering a phenomenal array of and merchandise for purchase within maritime exhibits.
“I?ll be at the Chesapeake Kitchen,” enthuses Cottman. “There will be cooking demos from local chefs, and even a crab eating contest.”
Visiting Tall Ships will be docked at Piers 1 and 5, as well as the West Wall. Free public tours will be given.
The “Main Stage” — easy to find — between the two pavilions will offer daily concerts in a variety of musical genres, ending both nights with a special headliner.
With a weekend forecast of beautiful sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60s, no one will be kept away due to the weather.
Great weather is just the tonicfor the Orioles and their home stint at Camden Yards this weekend. The “Birds” will host Seattle at 4:35 p.m. on Saturday and again at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday.
Whew! Indeed the Harbor is “jumpin.”
Visitor tips
Monee Cottman, from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, offers the following advice for visitors:
» All streets in and around the harbor will be open. Those driving down should arrive early and park their cars in any number of hotel or municipal lots and garages. After parking, leave the car for the duration of the visit.
» Use the Water Taxi?s if wishing to explore other attractions along the waterside.
» Consider public transportation. The nearest Light Rail stop is Camden Yards, eight blocks west of the Festival and right at the ball yard. The closest Metro Station is Shot Tower/Market Place. Call MTA at 410-539-5000 for more information.
» Folks should always stick together and be aware of their surroundings.
» Enjoy the weekend and if more info is needed call 410-752-8632 or log on to www.baltimorewaterfrontfestival.com and www.orioles.com
