PREAKNESS CELEBRATION
Join the fun as the second jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown focuses the eyes of the sports world on Baltimore. Hot air balloons, a parade, and the race at Pimlico, turn the 1998 Preakness into a week-long celebration with music, food, sports and fun. May 8-May 16

MAY 8-9
Hot Air Balloons, lift off at 7am Friday from Rash Field, 7am Saturday from Druid Hill Park, 410-837-3030.
Bud Light Nights, the concert series on Water Street featuring live musical entertainment in downtown Baltimore, May 8,9, 13-15, 410-837-3030. $

MAY 9
The Fila 5-K Preakness Run, over 800 runners race through the streets of South Baltimore, 8am, 410-837-3030.
25th Annual Preakness Parade, marching bands, clowns, equestrian units and floats are just some of the parade units taking part in Baltimore's salute to the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown, 11am, south on Charles Street and east on Pratt Street to Market Place, 410-837-4636.

MAY 11
Annual Phillips Preakness Trayfecta, Baltimore's finest waiters compete in this wacky obstacle course competition, noon, Harborplace Amphitheatre, 1-800-HARBOR-1.

MAY 12
Pee Wee Preakness, children race on hobby horses while clowns and costumed characters cheer on the junior jockeys, sponsored by BGE. Noon, Rash Field, Inner Harbor, 410-837-4636.

MAY 14
The Triple Crown Ball, a black-tie gala provides a first-class evening of dinner and dancing for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 7pm, Hyatt Regency, 410-771-9000. $

MAY 15
Phillips Preakness Celebrity Crab Picking Contest, the finest from Baltimore's business, media and sports communities will come together to split, crack and pick their way to victory in the 8th annual event, noon, Harborplace Amphitheatre, 1-800-HARBOR-1.

MAY 16
The 123rd Running of the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of thoroughbred racing's prestigious Triple Crown, featuring the nation's top three-year-olds, gates open at 8:30am, first race, 11am, Pimlico Race Course, 410-542-9400 for ticket information. $

FIRST THURSDAYS
Come for fabulous live music, free admission to Mt. Vernon attractions, great restaurants, shops, boutiques and much, much more. The first Thursday of every month from 5-8pm. Enjoy $1.50 parking at Penn Parking on Franklin & Charles Streets with validation from participating merchants and attractions. Call 410-342-SHOW for more information or www.bop.org. Made possible by Comfort Link

"Showcase of Nations" Ethnic Festivals
The festivals feature traditional music and dancing, world- renowned food, culture and clothing of nations around the globe, celebrating their 25th year in 1998. Call 410-837-4636.

MAY 29, 30, 31-Polish Festival at Patterson Park
JUNE 12, 13, 14-Greek Festival at St. Nicholas Church
JUNE 19, 20-International Festival at Market Place