Preakness Celebration turns 20 this year, and the annual events Baltimoreans have come to know and love are back again.
“Preakness Celebration is an opportunity to energize communities and celebrate Preakness in a variety of ways,” Thomas Chuckas Jr., special consultant to the chairman atMagna Entertainment Corp., said Friday when the lineup of events was announced.
Founded in 1988, Maryland Preakness Celebration is a nonprofit organization established to produce a festival of events in and around Baltimore to celebrate the Preakness Stakes.
The 35th Annual Preakness Parade on May 10 features a line of fun floats, balloon characters and live performances for adults and kids alike. Local celebrities will vie for $500 for their favorite charity at the 18th Annual Crab Derby on May 15. Preakness Balloon Fest kicks off on May 15 with large, colorful hot-air balloons at Turf Valley Resort. “Twas The Night Before Preakness” on May 16 features Grammy-nominated R&B singer Ryan Shaw in an outdoor concert.
Mayor Sheila Dixon shared a fond memory from the Preakness Frog Hop ? an event she participated in and won last year. “Preakness Celebration attracts not only people from all over, but residents of Baltimore as well, and we?re excited about the events this year,” she said. “So many people get to come into the city, and see how wonderful it is.”
PREAKNESS CELEBRATION EVENTS 2008
- May 9: “And They?re Off;” 6 p.m.; Belvedere Square, Baltimore; Free.
- May 10: 35th Annual Preakness Parade; 11 a.m.; Howard and Pratt St., Baltimore; Free.
- May 13: MECU PeeWee Preakness; 11 a.m.; Federal Hill Park, Baltimore; Free.
- May 14: Preakness Frog Hop; Noon; War Memorial Plaza, Baltimore; Free.
- May 15: 18th Annual Preakness Crab Derby; Noon; Lexington Market, Baltimore; Free.
- May 15 and 16: Miller Lite Nites plus Alter Bridge and Mr. Greengenes; 7:30 p.m.; Power Plant Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore; Free.
- May 15 to 17: Preakness Balloon Fest; Various times; Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City; Free.
- May 16: Twas The Night Before Preakness; 6 p.m.; Harbor East, Baltimore; Free.
