|
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon announces 2008 events for Preakness Celebration at news conference in Pimlico clubhouse.
Left to right: Thomas Chuckas,jr.,
Karin De Francis, Mark Friedman and
Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Photo Credit: Jim McCue/MJC
|
BALTIMORE, 05-02-08---Maryland Preakness® Celebration, Inc. announced the calendar of events for Preakness Week 2008 at a news conference this morning at Pimlico Race Course.
Maryland Preakness® Celebration, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization that was established in 1988 to produce a festival of events in and around Baltimore to celebrate the Preakness Stakes, middle jewel of thoroughbred racing’s prestigious Triple Crown series, which takes places Saturday, May 17 at historic Pimlico.
“2008 will mark not only the 20th anniversary of the Preakness Celebration, but also offer another great series of festivities for the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland,” said Mark Friedman, acting president of Preakness Celebration. “We look forward to celebrating with the community at this year’s exciting festival of events as we count down the days to the Preakness.”
Preakness week officially kicks off tonight with Preakness First Friday, a free live concert featuring Marshall Crenshaw at The Can Company in Canton from 6-9 p.m. The following week, Friday, May 9th, The Crawdaddies will rock the house live at Belvedere Square’s “And They’re Off!”
One week before the state’s signature race, Saturday, May 10th, Preakness® Celebration will stage the 35th annual Preakness Parade at 11:00 a.m. in downtown Baltimore along Pratt Street. Helium balloon characters, floats, marching bands, military units and equestrians will take to Pratt Street along the Inner Harbor in a time honored and beloved Baltimore tradition for the entire family.
Federal Hill Park will host tiny tots on Hippty Hops May 13th as they bounce their way to the finish line in MECU’s Pee Wee, just for kids. Preakness week continues with a different activity almost every day, including live music at Miller Lite Nites, where Power Plant Live welcomes Alter Bridge on May 15th and Mr. Greengenes on May 16th.
The week wraps up with the crowd-pleasing Preakness Balloon Festival, presented by WCBM Talk Radio AM 680 at Turf Valley Resort in Howard County, returning for the second consecutive year following its successful debut in 2007. On Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16 adults and children of all ages will enjoy crafts and entertainment, refreshments, games and more as they watch balloons launch and fly. Tethered balloon rides are available for daring fans and ground tours for those enjoying a more earth-bound experience. At dusk, up to 20 balloons in unique shapes and colors will thrill fans as they light up the skies with a spectacular glow. A final launch will happen Preakness morning. Balloon Festival events are weather permitting.
The week wraps up with “Twas the Night Before Preakness”, as Grammy nominee Ryan Shaw headlines a live concert at Harbor East.
Preakness Celebration events are free and open to the public. Visit www.preaknesscelebration.com for more information.
The headline event of Pimlico’s eight-week spring meeting, the 133rd running of the $1 million Preakness® Stakes (Grade I) answers the critical question-will the Kentucky Derby winner have a chance at the Triple Crown. Last year, the middle jewel of racing’s famed Triple Crown attracted a record crowd of 121,263, the largest crowd ever to witness a sporting event in Maryland.
“In addition to the impact, on many levels, that the Preakness Celebration has to those who live and work in Baltimore, and in Maryland, I think the important and positive image it sends to the rest of the nation and beyond makes us all proud,” added Friedman. “There are a lot of exciting things that happen in Maryland and there’s a great lifestyle here. This is an opportunity that showcases us quite well.”
2008 Preakness Celebration Sponsors
Main Event Sponsors
Budweiser/Bud Light (Preakness First Friday and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)
Miller (Miller Lite Nights at Power Plant Live)
WCBM (Preakness Balloon Festival, presented by WCBM Talk Radio AM 68)
MECU (Pee Wee Preakness)
Event Partners
Maryland Jockey Club
Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (Parade, Pee Wee Preakness)
Streuver Brothers – Can Company, Belvedere Square, Harbor East (See Budweiser/Bud Light above)
Power Plant Live and 98 Rock (Miller Lite Nights)
Baltimore City (Frog Hop and much event support in a variety of ways)
Lexington Market (Crab Derby)
Turf Valley Resort (Preakness Balloon Festival)
Leffler Agency
Balloon Festival Sponsors
Apple Ford
Howard County General Hospital
Maryland Lottery
Columbia Bank
Gutter Helmet
Basement Waterproofing
Preakness 133
Wine in the Woods
Shannon’s
Blossoms of Hope-Howard County Tourism
Parade Balloon Sponsor
Rosemore
Media Partners
The Examiner
98 Rock
CBS Radio
Univercity Magazine
Pennysaver
Daily Record
City Paper
Downtown Diane