By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com
Maryland first lady Dawn Moore, the Sports and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland and the Preakness Festival 150 Committee have announced a lineup of events for the first-ever Preakness Festival. The weeklong event, which runs May 10-15, will include a lineup designed to maximize the legacy of Maryland’s historic Preakness Stakes.
The Preakness Festival will include a mix of free and ticketed events throughout the week aimed at showcasing Maryland’s rich heritage, diverse communities and small businesses. Moore spoke to the AFRO about wanting to provide Maryland residents, tourists and attendees with a cultural experience that also will bring more money into the state.
“We have built a broad and diverse coalition of nonprofit leaders, private and public sector leaders, business-orientated individuals and just people who care about Baltimore and the equine industry,” said Moore. “Everyone is coming together at this moment because the Preakness Festival will be the celebration of 150 years of Preakness in Maryland. But it is about what we can do in this moment and beyond.”
Moore credited her experience of being invited to the Kentucky Derby as a source of inspiration for the inaugural Preakness Festival.
“When my husband [Wes Moore] was governor-elect, we were invited by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and first lady of Kentucky to be their guests at the Kentucky Derby. I was absolutely wowed by the cultural and entertainment experience taking place at the Derby, and it was clear that there was a significant economic impact that was taking place as well,” said Moore. “After doing a little digging, I found out that the Derby generates a $400 million impact. The Preakness, as awesome as it is, is a two-day event and only generated $40 million dollars.”
The innovative Preakness Festival will commence with the 4th Annual George “Spider” Anderson Music and Arts Festival. The festival honors Anderson, who was the first Black jockey to win the Preakness Stakes. The free event on May 10 will include live entertainment, including horseback riding.
On May 11, the festival will have a Maryland Horse Farm Tour on select farms across the state, where families can interact and connect with horses. On May 12, Gov. Wes Moore will host his Open Golf Tournament at the Baltimore Country Club in Timonium.
The Magic of Maryland Music Celebration will be held on May 14 at Pier Six Pavillion on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The ticketed event will feature the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and will be headlined by Club Quarantine 5. The Preakness Festival will conclude with the Government House Festival Fundraiser on May 15 in Annapolis.
Terry Hasseltine, president of the Sports and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, spoke with the AFRO about why Maryland residents throughout the state should take part in the Preakness Festival.
“The important thing that attendees take away is a world-class and fun experience. When you see the five tentpole events this year, you’re going to see a spidering effect that is going to grow between now and the 152nd Preakness as engagement grows. We can get more people east and west and north and south within the state of Maryland because of the excitement and enthusiasm being built,” said Hasseltine.
The Preakness Stakes experience is in the process of being revamped as a well. Pimlico Race Course is under renovations after Gov. Moore signed a bill that will rebuild the storied venue. The $400 million rebuild will force Preakness to be held in Laurel Park in 2026 with a plan for the event to return to Pimlico in 2027.
“For this to be Maryland’s decade, it must be Baltimore’s time – and the inaugural Preakness
Festival is one of the ways we make it happen,” said Gov. Wes Moore via a press release. “I want to thank the incredible partners who have come together across sectors, ideologies, and industries to create our biggest celebration yet. Preakness is not just about a race – it’s about believing in Baltimore again. And this year, we’re investing in winners on and off the racetrack.”
In May 2024, Baltimore was secured as the permanent home of the Preakness Stakes due to a landmark agreement that transferred ownership of Pimlico Race Course to the State of Maryland. This agreement also paved the way for Pimlico to become the year-round center for thoroughbred racing in the state, with a full renovation of Pimlico’s facilities, including upgrades to the racetrack and the construction of a hotel and event space. Further, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development invested $10 million to support housing, job training, workforce development and other community initiatives in Park Heights.
“Part of the vision is that the Preakness Festival becomes more of a statewide event. I think that going to the Laurel race tracks gives us an opportunity to do events in that area. But I will always say, there is no Preakness without Baltimore,” said Dawn Moore.
Hasseltine believes that Preakness being held in Laurel Park also opens up opportunities for other partners to get involved with the Preakness Festival.
“Going to Laurel actually creates a gateway for us to say to potential partners in the southern part of the state as well as our friends in the District, ‘Hey, get on Amtrak, get on the MARC and come on up,’” said Hasseltine. “‘Let us show you what we’re doing. Let us show you why Preakness is so important to the state of Maryland. Come be a part of this thing that could be great for the region, but it starts in the heart of Baltimore.’”
First lady Dawn Moore, Michael Hankin, Belinda Stronach, Christian Johansson, Calvin Butler and David Rubenstein serve as the Preakness Festival leadership co-chairs. Gov. Wes Moore, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and his wife, Hana Scott, will serve as honorary festival chairs.
“For generations, the Preakness has been a defining part of Baltimore’s identity, shining a spotlight on our city’s culture and resilience,” said Mayor Scott via a press release. “The Preakness Festival takes that legacy to the next level by focusing on equitable development, job creation, and long-term revitalization. This festival will uplift communities, especially in Northwest Baltimore, while embracing the spirit that makes our city truly special.”
Initial seed funding for the Preakness Festival was provided by the Maryland Sports Commission’s Major Events Fund. The City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland serve as host partners. Founding partners include Brown Advisory, Exelon Corp. and the Maryland Lottery. The University of Maryland, Baltimore and Kaiser Permanente serve as sponsors for the Preakness Festival, among others.
For more information, visit https://www.preaknessfestival.com/.