Party Across America: 101 of the Greatest Festivals, Sporting Events, and Celebrations in the U.S.
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About this ebook
Every entry is suitable for all, young or young at heart, and supplies the pertinent getaway information so they can:
- Enjoy the snow and sounds of Aspen's Jazz Festival
- Rev up the party engines at the Indy 500
- Experience a swashbuckling good time at Gaspirilla's Pirate Fest
- Cheer on the horses and sip mint juleps at the Preakness
- and more!
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Party Across America - Michael Guerriero
PARTY ACROSS
america!
9781598698169_0004_001OF THE GREATEST FESTIVALS,
SPORTING EVENTS, AND
CELEBRATIONS IN THE U.S.
MICHAEL GUERRIERO
9781598698169_0004_002Copyright © 2009 by Michael Guerriero All rights reserved.This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
Published by Adams Media,
an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN 10: 1-59869-816-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-59869-816-9
eISBN 978-1-44051-592-7
Printed in the United States of America.
J I H G F E D C B A
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
Data is available from the publisher.
This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases. For information, please call 1-800-289-0963.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
—From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations
Many efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of addresses, phone numbers, prices, and other information in this book. However, phone numbers and addresses change, prices go up, and schedules that were accurate during the time of writing are modified. Readers must call or e-mail ahead of time to confirm all information for themselves. The author, editor, and publisher are not to be held accountable for any issues that arise as a result of information contained in this book.
dedication
Love frequently sparks inspiration. This book is dedicated to my wife, best friend, and the greatest person on the planet, Jennifer. Without her encouragement, patience, and support this project would have never come to fruition.
And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
—Abraham Lincoln
INTERIOR ILLUSTRATION CREDITS
Maps © Map Resources, www.mapresources.com
Pumpkin, © istockphoto/Joanna Pecha
Lobster, © istockphoto/Olivier Blondeau
Jockey helmet, © istockphoto/Gina Hanf
Beehive, © istockphoto/Joshua Blake
4-leaf clover, © istockphoto/Susan Trigg
Runners, © istockphoto/pinobarile
Yacht, © istockphoto/Alexey Dudoladov
Motorcycle, © istockphoto/Brian McEntire
Life buoy, © istockphoto/Claudio Divizia
Beer, © istockphoto/Valentyn Volkov
Horses, © istockphoto/Kseniya Abramova
Mermaid, © istockphoto/Justin Horrocks
Skull, © istockphoto/Angelika Fischer
Disco ball, © istockphoto/James Benet
Drum, © istockphoto/Slavoljub Pantelic
Groundhog, © istockphoto/Gaspare Messina
Saxophone, © istockphoto/Steve McGuire
Mask, © istockphoto/Christine Balderas
Checkered flag, © istockphoto/Valeria Loiseleux
Pirate flag, © istockphoto/ayzek
Steering wheel, © istockphoto/Paul Morton
Bad bike, © istockphoto/Jon Patton
Turntable, © istockphoto/Alexey Dudoladov
Hibiscus, © istockphoto/pixhook
Cocktail, © istockphoto/Floortje
St. Patrick’s Day hat, © istockphoto/Rick Rhay
Peach, Klaudia Steiner
Horse, © istockphoto/Aleš Novak
Bowling Pins, © istockphoto/Lev Mel
Party, © istockphoto/Vik Thomas
Trumpet, © istockphoto/Serdar Yagci
Party hat, © istockphoto/Edyta Pawlowska
Guitar, © istockphoto/Aleksander Trankov
Megaphone, © istockphoto/Thomas Milewski
Fireworks, © istockphoto/Geoffrey Holman
Lights, © istockphoto/Geoffrey Holman
Beach ball, © istockphoto/pixhook
Harmonica, © istockphoto/Eugeny Rannev
Hat, © istockphoto/Gary Alvis
Electric guitar, © istockphoto/Vladislav Lebedinski
Gold cup, © istockphoto/Christine Balderas
Base jump, © istockphoto/Jason Lugo
Pizza, Marcin Rychly
Drum set, © istockphoto/pixhook
Keg, © istockphoto/Gaspare Messina
Checkered flag, © istockphoto/ayzek
Mountain bike, © istockphoto/Dave Morgan
Peace, © istockphoto/Gina Luck
Circus tent, © istockphoto/Adam Korzekwa
Tent, © istockphoto/-lvinst-
RV, © istockphoto/Igor Lubnevskiy
Mask, © istockphoto/Svetlana Larina
Yacht, © istockphoto/Igor Lubnevskiy
Baseball, © istockphoto/Dawn Poland
Rubber ducky,
© istockphoto/Steven von Niederhausern
Beer mug, © istockphoto/pixhook
Witch, © istockphoto/Joshua Blake
Tailgating chair, © istockphoto/Danny Hooks
Catfish, © istockphoto/George Peters
Rock figure,
© istockphoto/Klaas Lingbeek-van Kranen
Motorbike boots, © istockphoto/gdpozzi
Catcher’s mitt, © istockphoto/John Rodriguez
Watermelon,
© istockphoto/Marie-france Bélanger
Vampire, © istockphoto/Andrew Howe
Old driver, © istockphoto/Matthew Porter
Flip flops, © istockphoto/Nicholas Monu
Goggles, © istockphoto/Jiri Paulik ml.
Banjo, © istockphoto/David Lewis
Sunflower, © istockphoto/Gabor Izso
Bike, © istockphoto/namurishi
Medal, © istockphoto/AquaColor
Shamrock hat, © istockphoto/iLexx
Horns, © istockphoto/Keith Webber Jr.
Champagne, © istockphoto/pixhook
Cactus, © istockphoto/Johannes Norpoth
Toast, © istockphoto/domin_domin
UFO, © istockphoto/DivaNir4a
Hot air balloon, © istockphoto/LeggNet
Bikini, © istockphoto/Shantell
Texas star, © istockphoto/RichVintage
Texas flag, © istockphoto/ayzek
Football helmets, © istockphoto/Stefan Klein
Chili, © istockphoto/Christine Balderas
Reel, © istockphoto/Mercela Barsse
Cowboy boots, © istockphoto/Roberto A Sanchez
Guitar player, © istockphoto/Lori Lee Miller
Sombrero, © istockphoto/Christine Balderas
Sneakers, © istockphoto/Özgür Donmaz
Pride flag, © istockphoto/Libby Chapman
Beer cooler, © istockphoto/Steve Snyder
Toy ray gun, © istockphoto/Skip ODonnell
Garlic, © istockphoto/Svetlana Kuznetsova
Sexy legs, © istockphoto/Martin Carlsson
Record, © istockphoto/ranplett
Hop and beer, © istockphoto/Borut Trdina
Lasso, © istockphoto/Gary Alvis
Binoculars, © istockphoto/Jill Fromer
Ice skates, © istockphoto/walik
Snowmobile, © istockphoto/Rob Fox
Umbrellas, © istockphoto/Jo Ann Snover
Beer and football, © istockphoto/Skip ODonnell
CONTENTS
Introduction
SECTION 1 THE NORTHEAST
DELAWARE
Punkin Chunkin
MAINE
Maine Lobster Festival
MARYLAND
Preakness Stakes
Honfest
MASSACHUSETTS
St Patrick’s Day
Boston Marathon
Figawi
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Laconia Motorcycle Week
NEW JERSEY
A Night in Venice
Irish Weekend
The Hunt
NEW YORK
Mermaid Parade
Halloween in New York City
The World’s Largest Disco
PENNSYLVANIA
Mummers Day Parade
Groundhog Day
RHODE ISLAND
Newport Folk Festival
VERMONT
Magic Hat Mardi Gras Block Party
SECTION 2 THE SOUTHEAST
ALABAMA
Talladega Speedway 500
FLORIDA
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Daytona 500
Bike Week
Ultra Music Festival
Fantasy Fest
The World’s Largest
Outdoor Cocktail Party
GEORGIA
St Patrick’s Day
Peachtree 10K
KENTUCKY
The Kentucky Derby
Lebowski Fest
LOUISIANA
Mardi Gras
New Orleans Jazz and
Heritage Festival
New Year’s Eve
MISSISSIPPI
Jubilee! Jam
NORTH CAROLINA
National Hollerin’ Contest
Wilmington Fourth of July
Bele Chere
SOUTH CAROLINA
Spring Break at
Myrtle Beach
TENNESSEE
Memphis in May, Beale Street
Music Festival
CMA Music Festival
Bonnaroo Music and
Arts Festival
VIRGINIA
Virginia Gold Cup
WEST VIRGINIA
Bridge Day
SECTION 3 MIDDLE AMERICA
ILLINOIS
Taste of Chicago
Chicago Jazz Festival
INDIANA
The Little 500
Indianapolis 500 Carb Day
IOWA
RAGBRAI®
KANSAS
Wakarusa Music and
Camping Festival
Country Stampede Music
and Camping Festival
MICHIGAN
Blissfest
MINNESOTA
We Fest
MISSOURI
Soulard Mardi Gras
Party Cove
NEBRASKA
College Baseball
World Series
OHIO
Riverfest
Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati
Halloween in Athens
Ohio State University vs
University of Michigan Football Game
OKLAHOMA
Okie Noodling Tournament
Rocklahoma
SOUTH DAKOTA
Black Hills Motorcycle Rally
at Sturgis
WISCONSIN
Opening Day at Miller Park
Summerfest
Freakfest
SECTION 4 THE WILD WEST
ARIZONA
FBR Phoenix Open
Spring Break at
Lake Havasu
COLORADO
Spring Back to Vail
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
Labor Day Festival
Tour de Fat
Great American
Beer Festival
MONTANA
St Patrick’s Day
Testicle Festival
NEVADA
Hard Rock Hotel
Rehab Party
Burning Man
New Year’s Eve
NEW MEXICO
UFO Festival
Albuquerque International
Balloon Fiesta
TEXAS
Spring Break at
South Padre Island
South by Southwest
Music Conference
Austin City Limits
Music Festival
Red River Shootout
Terlingua International
Chili Championship
UTAH
Sundance Film Festival
WYOMING
Cheyenne Frontier Days
SECTION 5 THE WEST COAST
CALIFORNIA
Coachella Music Festival
Cinco De Mayo
Bay to Breakers 12K
San Francisco Gay Pride
Weekend
Over the Line Tournament
Comic-Con
Gilroy Garlic Festival
Exotic Erotic Ball
OREGON
Waterfront Blues Festival
Oregon Brewer’s Festival
Pendleton Roundup
WASHINGTON
Kennewick Hydroplane
Races
SECTION 6 ALASKA, HAWAII, AND THE SUPER BOWL
ALASKA
Fur Rendezvous
Arctic Man Ski & Sno-Go
Classic
HAWAII
Halloween in Lahaina
THE SUPER BOWL
Super Bowl Week
APPENDIX A: Party Type by Region
APPENDIX B: Monthly Calendar of Events
APPENDIX C: Suggested Summer Road Trips
INTRODUCTION
The greatest parties in America have never been organized into a thrill seeker’s travel guide, or a party hopper’s bible—until now.
The events in this book are the reigning kings of raging celebrations. They’re annual extravaganzas that attract thousands upon thousands of revelers. They occur in the same place year after year, and nearly every state in the country is represented. Whether you’re a working stiff who wants to blow off some steam, a fun-loving retiree with free time on your hands, a college student shopping for spring break destinations, or a best man or maid of honor planning the perfect bachelor or bachelorette trip—this book will become your friend.
It’s fairly common knowledge that the social scene at Mardi Gras and the Kentucky Derby is extraordinary. However, the reality is that our country is teeming with parties that are comparable in both energy level and attitude. These spirited gatherings take the idea of a weekend getaway to the next level and are a surefire way to celebrate life in the United States.
The commercialization of America
has resulted in nationwide uniform strip-mall landscapes that contain the same fast-food joints and repeating chain retail storefronts. In fact, it’s often difficult to distinguish one town or city from the next. What you cannot learn about a place by looking at it, you can learn by partying in it. There are unique cultural traditions and festivities hovering just below the radar in every area of the country. Many events tell a fascinating story about the city or region in which they occur, and the people in attendance are always full of jovial spirit. There’s more to these gatherings than beer drinking and uninhibited behavior (although that’s usually at the forefront)—they help to weave the social fabric of our country. So get out there and party across America, from sea to shining sea.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
This book is written like a traditional travel guide, the destination being an event as well as a place. Each profile contains a description as well as how to get there; where to stay; what to bring; and phone numbers, ticket information, and special instructions. Use this guide in conjunction with the Internet— many websites are listed for planning purposes.
It’s organized into six geographic regions—The Northeast, The Southeast, Middle America, The Wild West, The West Coast, and Alaska, Hawaii, and the Super Bowl. States are alphabetically arranged in each of these regions.
Description
This section outlines the most important aspects of the event and the schedule, providing guidance to the party. Read about the history, the number of people who attend, and discover helpful hints about the area.
Transportation
Find the most convenient airport and navigate the local public transportation. Driving directions from the airport to your destination can be obtained on www.mapquest.com . In most cases you’ll use the hotel’s address as your MapQuest ending location. Each airport code is given, as is the airport website, which contains car-rental agencies and their phone numbers. The locations of Amtrak and Greyhound Bus stations are listed—visit www.amtrak.com or www.greyhound.com for schedules, rates, and further information. Local taxicab phone numbers and airport shuttle information are included.
Accommodations
In an effort to stay inside of people’s comfort zones, easily recognizable chain hotels are featured as often as possible. These include Holiday Inn, Marriott, Fairfield Inn, Best Western, and Days Inn, to name a few. Phone numbers, starting room rates (which do not include tax) during the event, and addresses for each hotel are provided. You can find further hotel listings by searching on Google for the city’s visitor’s center. Many of these parties are so huge that every room in town will sell out. Make your hotel reservation as soon as you purchase an airline ticket!
Tickets
If tickets are necessary, this is where you’ll look. Many of the parties are sporting events, music festivals, or other ticketed events, and they often sell out. You’ll find out where to go, whom to call, and how much tickets cost. Just be warned: The prices are current at the time of writing, but they’re guaranteed to go up each year.
What to Pack
Some of the items listed are a joke, but many are not. Furthermore, not every single necessity is listed—just the items that aren’t too obvious.
Travel Deals
Many people book their travel and hotel arrangements online, and this book is structured for that purpose. However, Party Across America! has partnered with a travel agency to make your party-hopping that much easier. Their name is Aggie Travel Points International, and they will often beat any online price for airfare and hotels to the events in this book. Give them a call at 970-482-1235 and mention Party Across America! for the best rates.
Visit
www.partyacrossamericabook.com
to share your own party experiences, to meet
the author, and to blog about which celebrations
you’d like to see in the next edition.
SECTION 1 THE NORTHEAST
9781598698169_0016_001Delaware
PUNKIN CHUNKIN
1s Bridgeville, Delaware
First weekend in November
www.punkinchunkin.com
9781598698169_0017_001Have you ever wondered what happens to all those unpicked pumpkins after the Halloween season has passed? Some lie rotting in fields, others find their way into freshly baked pumpkin pies, while a select few are placed into gigantic catapults and launched over a mile through the Delaware sky.
The annual Punkin Chunkin World Championships has been taking place for over twenty years. The contestants who enter this most unique of long-distance volleys have gone so far as to genetically engineer the perfect white pumpkin, with a thick skin that resists breaking apart upon countdown sequence (believe it or not, an ounce of these seeds costs $80). This three-day party has grown each year at an astounding rate, with reports of 50,000 in attendance in 2007. The celebration has evolved into the second-largest annual gathering in the entire state and was recently relocated from a 300-acre field to a 1,000-acre field to accommodate advancements in punkin chunkin technology.
The catapulting begins at about 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. The contestants tend to be local engineers, many seemingly unemployed, who enter one of several different classes. The machines resemble life-size erector-set models, and they hurtle pumpkins so far that you lose sight of them with the naked eye. Over 100 of these produce-slingers are put to the test each day while a variety of chili, pie, and pastry cook-offs are held outside of the ropes.
This sporting
event takes place in a field, the atmosphere being that of a massive tailgate party that rages on long after the day’s contests have ended. Beer is not sold on the premises, but it is permitted, so bring your own. A stage is set up for live music, which takes place all day Friday through Sunday. Friday night is when the headlining musical act plays, and recent performers have been the Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels. On Saturday night, fireworks replace pumpkins as the sky-bound objects during the dramatic closing ceremony.
TRANSPORTATION
air AIR: Book flights into Baltimore / Washington International Airport (BWI / www.bwi.com ) located seventy-seven miles away. There is also a smaller regional airport in Salisbury, Maryland, located thirty miles away.
ACCOMMODATIONS
h HOTELS: Seaford, just five minutes south of Bridgeville, is the closest town with accommodations. The Holiday Inn Express (210 North Dual Highway / 302-629-2000 / $118), Hampton Inn (799 North Dual Highway / 302-629-4500 / $129), Days Inn (420 North Dual Highway / 302-629-4300 / $80), and Quality Inn (225 North Dual Highway / 302-629-8385 / $75) are options. If Seaford hotels are booked, then try a hotel in Rehoboth Beach by visiting www.rehoboth.com .
cam CAMPING: Setting up a campsite is permitted from 10:00 A.M. Thursday to 10:00 A.M. Monday, and costs $150. One vehicle, two tents, and four campers are allowed per site, although additional parking passes are available. A camping form must be downloaded from the event website and mailed in prior to arrival. No water or power is available, although port-a-potties are. No fires and no sleeping in cars.
rv RV: Beginning in 2007 the Punkin Chunkin has opened itself to RV campers. There is plenty of space on the new grounds. Check-in begins on Thursday at 10:00 A.M. and checkout is 10:00 A.M. on Monday. Visit www.punkinchunkin.com to download an RV parking form and mail it in prior to arrival. Showers are not available.
TICKETS
The entrance fee is $7 per person and a single car parking pass is $2—both are available upon arrival. Three-day camping and RV parking passes cost $150 and $200 respectively, should be purchased ahead of time, and include entrance to the festival.
party tip
The technical wizards who design the launching devices take extreme pride in their performance, but once in a while a dud
pumpkin will be shot from a catapult. When this occurs, the gooey pieces of ammunition drop from the sky just a few feet away and zero points are awarded. At this point the crowd will yell pie in the sky!
at the top of their lungs.
What to Pack
• Warm clothing—army camouflage jackets make a strong showing during the Punkin Chunkin
• A flask to fight off the November chili
• A tent, warm sleeping bag, and plenty of giant-size wet wipes (no showers for campers)
• Your appetite for comfort foods (pies, starches, crispy things)
Maine
MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL
1s Rockland, Maine
Late July to early August
www.mainelobsterfestival.com
9781598698169_0019_001Crustaceans residing in New England waters begin to shake in their shells each summer as the world’s largest lobstaah
party approaches. This gathering is one of New England’s greatest, most delicious, and totally unique summer events.
The festivities take place in Harbor Park, a beautiful area right on the bay. Over 100,000 bibbed visitors infiltrate Rockland, population 7,600, throughout the five-day shell-busting brouhaha. It has been growing by leaps and bounds since its start over sixty years ago. Visitors from all across the country, as well as international lobster lovers, consume over 20,000 pounds of buttery sea meat—think about the sheer number of claw crackers involved.
Plan to spend a considerable amount of time underneath the Main Eating Tent. Succulent lobsters are fired out of the largest steamer in the world at an astounding rate, as are fresh mussels, clams, and shrimp. Coleslaw and corn are served alongside the single, double-, and triple-sized lobster plates. They range from $15 to $35. A smart idea is to fill up at the absolutely fantastic all-you-can eat $5 blueberry pancake breakfast (held Thursday through Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.), skip lunch, and then gorge yourself on seafood at dinnertime.
Organizers place as high a value on entertainment as they do on food; there are fantastic events all day long to satiate the eyes along with the stomach. High noon on Wednesday signals the start of a constant crackling sound that doesn’t end until Sunday. The previous year’s Sea Goddess along with King Neptune and his court begin the opening ceremonies in front of the Harbor Master Building. Merchants, artists, jugglers, cooks, musicians, and stilt walkers fill numerous tents and booths in the park. Take a tour on the USS Nassau , which is docked in the bay. Separate tickets are needed for the Friday and Saturday night concerts, which tend to be acts that are typical of a medium-size venue. Over 25,000 people line the streets to watch the big parade at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.
The highlight of the festival is the Lobster Crate Race, which takes place on Sunday. Hordes of onlookers line the docks to watch participants run across a string of fifty floating lobster crates as they bob up and down in the bay. He or she who can navigate the most crates before falling in the water wins. The all-time record is over 3,000 crates, and the secret is to run fast. Sign-ups begin at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, and any brave soul may enter.
TRANSPORTATION
air AIR: The closest major airport is Bangor International (BGR / www.flybangor.com ) located fifty miles away. Car-rental agencies are available. You may also fly into Knox County Regional Airport (RKD) if you own a private plane.
bo BOAT: Many people sail their way into Rockland Harbor for this event. It’s one of the state’s largest ports and the harbormaster can be contacted at 207-594-0312.
ACCOMMODATIONS
h HOTELS: A stay in a historic New England inn adds even more flavor to the weekend. Among the nicest are Berry Manor Inn (81 Talbot Ave. / 207-596-7696 / $115), Captain Lindsey House (5 Lindsey St. / 207-596-7950 / $136), Limerock Inn (96 Limerock St. / 207-594-2257 / $110), and Old Granite Inn (546 Main St. / 207-594-9036 / $80), which overlooks the bay. Available rooms are limited at these beautiful properties, so call well in advance. The two hotels in town, Trade Winds Motor Inn (2 Park Dr. / 207-596-6661 / $89) and Navigator Motor Inn (520 Main St. 207-594-2131 / $95), are basic and less expensive.
cam CAMPING: A couple of beautiful campsites are located about five miles from Rockland, in Thomaston. Lobster Buoy ( www.lobsterbuoycampsites.com/207-594-7546 ) is a private site, located on the seashore. You can pitch a tent or hook up an RV, swim in the ocean, and build a campfire. Saltwater Farm Campground ( www.saltwaterfarmcampground.com/207-354-6735 ) is a wide-open grassland that overlooks the Saint George River. It also accommodates tent campers and has RV hookups.
TICKETS
Opening Wednesday is free. Thursday through Saturday, 9:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M., costs $7 at the gate. Tickets for 3:00 P.M. through 10:00 P.M. must be purchased separately for $10. Sunday is $7 all day. Four-day passes are available from June to late July via the event website or may be purchased at the gate for $25. Seated tickets for Friday and Saturday nights’ musical acts must be purchased separately and are priced according to the act. Arrive early to tour the USS Nassau because the line can get lengthy.
What to Pack
• Personalized shell cracker with engraved initials
• Bibes
• Three changes of shirts per day (the bibs won’t catch all the lobster juice)
• Antacid
party tip
Many people love lobster but have no idea how to properly attack the meat. You can use the caveman approach, which usually leads to the loss and destruction of good food, or you can do it the right way. Arch the back of the lobster until it breaks, and then yank off the tail. Gently break off the tail flippers, leaving plenty of space to insert a fork and push the tail meat out. Next, unhinge the outer shell from the body. Notice the green area, which is considered a delicacy. Pull the body apart, cracking the shell, and notice the meat where the legs meet the body. Finally, the claws are some of the best eating; break them from the body and open them with scissors or pliers.
Maryland
PREAKNESS STAKES
1s Pimlico, Maryland
Third Saturday in May
www.preakness.com
9781598698169_0022_001Pimlico Race Course, a Victorian-style structure built in 1870, is home to the Preakness Stakes. It is located in a residential neighborhood thirty minutes from Baltimore. The Preakness is one of the three major horse races that comprise the famed Triple Crown. The history of this race dates back over 130 years, to a time when gentlemen attended in a top hat and jacket, and women donned their finest dress. Times have certainly changed because the Preakness is now far from prim and proper. While many top horse races still cater to refined upper-class fans, the Preakness encourages people from all walks to bring a twelve-pack into the race and take a spot on the most rowdy infield on the eastern seaboard.
Over time the Preakness has evolved into a rite of passage among Maryland’s hardest partiers, many of whom return year after year. As a fan
you have your choice of seating, which ranges from grandstand bleachers all the way to posh skyboxes complete with all the amenities. These are great seats if you plan on actually watching the horses, but the infield is where the real fun takes place!
On Saturday arrive at 7:00 a.m. or earlier for the world-class tailgating outside of the Pimlico Race Course. Be there on time, as the gates open up at 8:00 a.m. and the infield fills very quickly. The crowd at the Preakness numbers just over 100,000, which is small compared with the Kentucky Derby. However, the Preakness infield is much more rowdy due to the fact that beer and wine are permitted, along with 60,000 fans. The actual race doesn’t begin until 6:15 p.m., so this will not be a short day. Expect to experience slip ’n’ slides, frozen T-shirt contests, and twister—all in the name of horse racing.
Security prohibits kegs and hard alcohol inside the gates, but you can bring as much beer and wine as you can carry on your person. For this reason you can expect to see people going to great lengths to attach alcohol to themselves.
TRANSPORTATION
air AIR: The nearest airport is Baltimore Washington International (BWI / www.bwiairport.com ), located a half hour away.
pa PARKING: Parking in Pimlico can be a bit of a hassle, and if at all possible you should visit the Preakness website by January to obtain a parking pass. These range from $30 to $125 but usually sell out by February. Since the track is located in a residential neighborhood, you can also pay a resident about $25 to park on his or her property.
tr LIGHT-RAIL TRAIN: If you do not have a designated driver, then it is best to take a train from any number of local light-rail stations in the Baltimore area. The train station in Pimlico has shuttle buses running back and forth from the train station to the racetrack. Call 410-539-5000 for schedule and train information.
ACCOMMODATIONS
h HOTELS: The closest hotels to the Pimlico Race Course fill up early, and it is best to book a room by January. Nearby hotels include the Hilton (1726 Reisterstown Rd. / 410-653-1100 / $249), Ramada Inn (1721 Reisterstown Rd. / 410-486-5600 / $185), and Radisson (5100 Falls Rd. / 410-532-6900 / $215). Visit www.preakness.com/Admissions/HotelsMotels.htm for a complete list of hotels ranging from three miles to ten miles from the racetrack. If you do not have much time to plan, then you will find plenty of rooms in Baltimore, which is just a short train ride away.
TICKETS
Tickets to the infield can be purchased on race day, but purchasing tickets beforehand can save some money. Visit www.ticketmaster.com for tickets—the ticket prices online prior to the race are about $15 less expensive.
What to Pack
• A folding lawn chair for the infield
• A raincoat for cloudy skies
• A wad of cash for betting
• Duct tape (to secure wine bottles to your torso)
party tip
The black-eyed Susan is the official drink of the Preakness Stakes. If you bring a pitcher of B.E.S. then you will be an official participant. Just be sure to finish them in the parking lot because security will confiscate liquor.
Official Black-Eyed Susan Recipe
1 part Finlandia Vodka
1 part Appleton Estate V/X Rum
1 part Pepe Lopez Triple Sec
1 part pineapple juice
1 part orange juice
Serve over ice, garnish with a cherry
HONFEST
1s Baltimore, Maryland
Second weekend in June
www.honfest.net
9781598698169_0024_001This is the rare occasion when letting your hair down is not cool, because the beehive is back in a big way, hon. For one glorious weekend in June, 50,000 hipsters in Bawlmer,
pack The Avenue
in celebration of everything that’s great about the Waterfront City. At the top of this list are the unique dialect, food, and music of a quirky town that’s clearly got more to offer than Cal Ripken and a great aquarium.
Honfest takes its name from 1960s-era women who called everyone Hon
(short for honey)—from their husband to the encyclopedia salesman. With equal single-mindedness they caked on layers of blue eye shadow, crammed their legs into leopard-print pants, and spent untold deaf hours with their heads beneath plastic salon globes. This dressed-up block party, taking place since 1994, is quickly shedding its locals-only
skin as the East Coast masses are discovering the fun that lies beneath its shagadelic beehive.
The two-day art, music, and food festival takes place in Hampden, one of Baltimore’s swankiest and most revered neighborhoods. Covering four city blocks along Thirty-sixth Street, Honfest requires partygoers to dress for the occasion and groove like the first wave of the British Invasion just hit. Local storeowners set up shop on the streets, bubblegum is chewed at an alarming