When the Preakness Stakes takes place at Pimlico Race Course next year for the final time before the racing facility’s $400 million renovation, it will be among a longer itinerary of “Preakness Festival” events happening across Maryland.State and city leaders on Wednesday announced plans for the creation of the Preakness Festival, which they envision as a reimagining of how the Preakness is celebrated.“Today is not just about an initiation, it’s about an invitation: join us. Partner with us, because it will take each of us working in partnership to make this our biggest and best year yet,” said Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore, one of the co-chairs of the Preakness Festival committee, in a statement. “We want everyone to have a seat at the table. Together, we can create a truly unforgettable celebration and elevate our communities right here in Maryland.”The Preakness Stakes has already been accompanied in years past by other horse races, such as the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, as well as music performances at Preakness Live.But in 2025, programming around the second jewel of the Triple Crown will expand its reach across Maryland. The Preakness Festival will include free and ticketed arts cultural events, arts activities, and other programming at throughout Maryland.“For this to be Maryland’s decade, it has to be Baltimore’s time. We cannot have a growing, thriving state if our state’s largest city isn’t growing and thriving too,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. “Preakness 150 will be more than a celebration—it will help us build a legacy in this city and this state. A legacy of progress; a legacy of opportunity; a legacy of growth and a legacy of leaving no one behind.”The shift to hosting Preakness-related events at locations other than Pimlico serves as a prelude to when the race will be temporarily moved during the race course’s renovation.In May, Maryland’s spending board approved an agreement to transfer ownership of Pimlico Race Course from the Stronach Group to the State of Maryland.The Preakness Stakes will temporarily move to Laurel Park in 2026 while Pimlico Race Course undergoes renovations to its racetrack and other facilities.But make no mistake, leaders say, Baltimore is the home of the Preakness.“The Preakness is a cornerstone of Baltimore’s identity, celebrating our city’s culture and community to the world,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. “The Preakness Festival represents a bold vision for its future, providing momentum to other long-term revitalization projects in and for Baltimore. As Mayor and a son of Park Heights, I am incredibly excited that the festival will showcase investments in Northwest Baltimore, focusing on equitable development and job creation while tapping into the very spirit that makes Baltimore Charm City.”Officials hope the renovations will bolster Pimlico’s place in horse racing.The equine industry is responsible for 25% of Maryland’s agricultural base, about 28,000 jobs, and $3 billion in total economic impact, officials said.Members of the festival committee hope the newly created Preakness Festival will expand that impact, not only in the equine industry, but in tourism, hospitality, and local small businesses.“The Preakness Festival will mark a significant evolution in Maryland’s approach to equestrian events,” said Terry Hasseltine, executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission and president of Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, in a statement. “Our goal is to deliver holistic experiences that will positively impact communities across the state, drive tourism, and solidify Maryland’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class events. We are excited to lead this effort in collaboration with our great partners.”