Saddling up for Preakness Celebration

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Giddy up. The 2007 Preakness Celebration, a week of activities and events leading up to the 132nd Annual Running of the Preakness Stakes on May 19, was announced Wednesday in a news conference held by Maryland Preakness Celebration Inc.

“Preakness is Baltimore, Baltimore is Preakness,” said Louis Raffetto Jr., president and chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club. “The Preakness is much more than just a horse race. It’s the last 20 years [of the Preakness Celebration] that has shown what a race can mean and will continue to mean to the city of Baltimore,” Raffetto said.

Even Mayor Sheila Dixon’s teenage daughter Jasmine seems to have caught horse fever. “She just turned 18, so it’s the first year she can bet on the horses,” Dixon laughed. “She’s already bought a dress and she’s looking for a hat.”

Maryland Preakness Celebration Inc. produces a festival of events, which take place the week leading up to the Preakness Stakes.

The 34th Annual Preakness Parade will be held along Pratt Street in Baltimore with Grand Marshall Dorothy Hamill on May 12, directly after the Preakness 5K Race at Pimlico Race Course.

This year, Howard County will host the beginning of the Preakness Balloon Fest at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City. One of the most popular events of the celebration, the fest launches 15 hot air balloons repeatedly in several locations until it finally concludes in the Inner Harbor at dusk on Preakness Eve.

“The Preakness is horse racing’s ultimate test,” said Mike Gathagan, vice president of communications at the Maryland Jockey Club, adding that attendance for the event has topped more than six figures in six of the last eight years.

“We hope to have great participation, to celebrate our Preakness heritage, our city and our state,” Mark Friedman, president of the Maryland Preakness Celebration said.

Preakness Celebration Events

The 2007 Preakness Celebration features several events geared to garner excitement before the big race. For an entire schedule of events, visit www.preaknesscelebration.org.

» “And They’re Off” Preakness Celebration Kick-Off, Belvedere Square, corner of York Road and Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore; May 11; 6 to 9 p.m.; Free; 443-573-4460.

» Preakness Celebration’s Preakness 5K, Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore; May 12; 9 a.m.; Free; www.charmcityrun.com.

» Preakness Parade, Heart of the Inner Harbor along Pratt Street, Baltimore; May 12; 11 a.m.; Free.

» Pee Wee Preakness, Federal Hill Park, Baltimore; May 15; 11:30 a.m.; Free.

» Preakness Frog Hop, War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall, Baltimore; May 16; Noon; Free; 410-396-9392.

» Preakness Balloon Fest, Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City; May 16-19; 5:30 p.m.; Free;

» Miller Lite Nights featuring Papa Roach and Mr. Greengenes, Power Plant Live, 34 Market Place, Baltimore; May 17-18; 5 to 11 p.m.; Free.

» Preakness Crab Derby, Lexington Market, 400 West Lexington St., Baltimore; May 17; Noon; Free; 410-685-6169.

» Preakness Eve at Pimlico, Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore; May 18; 10:45 a.m.; Free; 410-542-9400.

» ‘Twas the Night Before Preakness: Preakness Eve featuring Buckwheat Zydeco, Harbor East, Baltimore; May 18; 6 to 9 p.m.; Free; 410-752-9331.

ecampbell@baltimoreexaminer.com

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