Parking Panda

PREAKNESS - May 19th 2012

The 137^th Preakness Stakes, the second leg in the Triple Crown series, will be held this Saturday, May 19^th at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Preakness, drawing more people than any other sporting event in Maryland, set a record in 2007 when 121,263 people attended and more than $87.2 million was placed in bets. The first Preakness was held at Pimlico in 1873 however, the Preakness Stakes has not always been held in Maryland.

In 1890, Preakness was hosted by Morris Park Racecourse in the Bronx, New York, after which there was no race run for three years. Next, for 15 years from 1894 to 1908 the race was held at Gravesend Race Track on Coney Island, New York before finally returning to Pimlico in 1909.

The first Preakness winner was Kentucky born, American Thoroughbred racehorse, Survivor. Ridden by jockey George Barbee, Survivor won the $2,050 winning purse by galloping home easily by 10 lengths. This was the largest margin of victory until 2004, when Smarty Jones won by 11 1/2 lengths. This year’s purse towers over its 1873 counterpart at $1,000,000.

Preakness, also known as “The Run for the Black-Eyes Susans” since a blanket of the state flower is usually places around the winner’s neck, is truly a time for Fellowship among Marylanders. Just after the horses for the Preakness are called to the post, the audience is invited to sing Maryland’s official state song, “Maryland, My Maryland.” Traditionally, the song was led by the Baltimore Colts’ Marching Band from the infield but today The United States Naval Academy Glee Club leads the song.

It’s not just horses that draw the crowds to the Preakness festivities. Infieldfest, a day of music, activities, food and drinks begins Saturday morning before The Preakness Stakes. I hope you like beer for breakfast because the first band is scheduled to begin at 8:20 am!

Although Parking for Preakness is now SOLD OUT, no worries because Parking Panda has you covered. We have spaces available just a few short blocks away at Pimlico Elementary School. For only $25 you can get all day parking. Check out our Preakness Parking page and reserve your space now!

Park Happy! 

Parking for St. Patrick’s Day Events in Baltimore

Last March, Catonsville resident Joe Heldman recounted his St. Patrick’s day woes in an article for the Baltimore Sun:

“Here is how the city rips people off: When we found a parking space on Saturday, the meter would only let us pay for two hours. We encountered the same thing on Broadway (where city officials saw fit to give out tickets to those in church). And also true near Duda’s….Why can’t these meters be good for more time? The only reason they are limited to two hours is to make it possible to give out more tickets. Every time I see things like this happen it makes me not want to go back to the city and support local businesses (The Baltimore Sun, March 2011).”

This dilemma holds true for most suburbanites. Venture into the city where parking is scarce, expensive, and aggravating to find (not to mention many meters are only good for 2 hours) or stay in the suburbs. For holidays such as St. Patrick’s Day, with events throughout the month of March, most of the action is in the city. Some St. Patrick’s day events in Baltimore include:

Meet in the Street - A celebration in Canton’s O’Donnell Square.
The Canton Irish Stroll - A bar crawl through Canton.
The Fed Hill Irish Stroll - A bar crawl through Federal Hill.
The Shamrock 5k - A Run & post-race party.
The Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Baltimore’s official, traditional Irish parade.
O’Malley’s March - Governor Martin O’Malley leads his Irish band in concert at the Recher Theatre in Towson.
Slainte - Live Irish music and specials on Irish beer at one of Baltimore’s most authentic Irish pubs and restaurants.

With St. Patrick’s Day taking place on a Saturday this year, we know that the number of people partying and partaking in all the great events in Baltimore will be at an all time high.  You know what this means?  Parking will be at its absolute worst.  Don’t let your day be ruined and don’t miss a single second of drinking that green beer, listening to live music, and having a great time.  No matter what part of town you’re headed to, Parking Panda has you covered.  Log on now and grab a guaranteed parking space for the same price you’ll spend on that first (and probably way too early) beer!  Be safe, have fun, and most importantly — Park Happy!