Maryland Preakness Celebration Inc. announced the calendar of events for
Preakness Week 2008 at a news conference Friday morning at Pimlico Race Course.
Preakness week officially kicked off on Kentucky Oaks Day with Preakness
First Friday, a free live concert featuring Marshall Crenshaw at The Can Company
in Canton, Maryland from 6-9 p.m. (EDT). The Crawdaddies is scheduled to rock
the house live at Belvedere Square’s “And They’re Off!” on May 9, while the very
next day, one week before the state’s signature race, the 35th annual Preakness
Parade will take place at 11 a.m. in downtown Baltimore. Helium balloon
characters, floats, marching bands, military units and equestrians will take to
Pratt Street along the Inner Harbor. On May 13, Federal Hill Park will host tiny
tots on Hippty Hops as they bounce their way to the finish line.
Weather permitting, the crowd-pleasing Preakness Balloon Festival at Turf
Valley Resort in Howard County will take place on May 15-16 following its
successful debut in 2007. 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.
The week wraps up with “Twas the Night Before Preakness,” as Grammy nominee
Ryan Shaw headlines a live concert at Harbor East.
“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.”
The showcase event of Pimlico’s eight-week spring meeting, the 133rd running
of the $1 million Preakness S. (G1), will take place on May 17 and answers the
critical question of will the Kentucky Derby (G1) 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,” Friedman added. “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.”
Preakness Celebration events are free and open to the public. Visit
www.preaknesscelebration.com for more information.