Public Encouraged to Enjoy Full Day of Events, Plan Ahead for Maryland's Olympic Heroes Homecoming Celebration
BALTIMORE, MD (September 22, 2008) – Event organizers today announced additional event details and a series of parking alerts and instructions for the October 4th Homecoming Celebration for Maryland’s Olympic Team.
The day’s events will kick off at 3:00 pm with the Parade of Gold in Towson, Maryland, and conclude with the Star-Spangled Banner Salute to Michael Phelps at Fort McHenry.
The Parade kicks off at the intersection of York Road and Burke Avenue in Towson, continuing approximately 1.5 miles down York Road through the Rodgers Forge area where Michael grew up and where his mother, Debbie, still resides. The parade will end at the Drumcastle Government Building at 6401 York Road.
Entertainment at Ft. McHenry will also begin at 3:00 pm with live music and a festival atmosphere with activities for children, a food court, and fireworks at approximately 7:50 pm Members of the public are encouraged to arrive early and stay late for the day’s events.
The Star-Spangled Banner Salute to Michael Phelps will begin at 7:00 pm and air live on WBAL-TV from Ft. McHenry. A special guest Master of Ceremony has also been confirmed for the Star-Spangled Salute.
It is very important that the public plan ahead for both events. Advance parking will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis for the Star-Spangled Salute to Michael Phelps. Parking will be provided in the Maryland Stadium Authority Lots at M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards, with free shuttle bus from Russell Street at M&T Bank Stadium to Fort McHenry. Advance parking for the event can be obtained online at Baltimore.org/phelps. There is a small processing fee for advance reserved parking.
The public should view this event as a “stadium event,” as parking restrictions will be in place around both stadiums and Ft. McHenry.
Parade of Gold
- Event begins at the intersection of York Road and Burke Avenue in Towson at 3:00 pm
- Parking for the Parade of Gold will be FREE in all public parking garages in the downtown Towson area.
- Parking meters in Towson will be free from 1 – 6 pm
- Towson University will open the garages on Towsontown Blvd. and at the Glen Garage (behind Bill Bateman’s) for FREE parking.
Star Spangled Salute to Michael Phelps
- Gates to Fort McHenry open at 3:00 pm.
- Entertainment and Festival begins at 3:00 pm. The official program begins at 7:00 pm
- Public should plan to come early and stay late for a full day of festivities.
- Advance parking can be obtained at Baltimore.org/phelps. There is a small processing fee.
- Personal vehicles will not be permitted inside the Fort at any point during the day on Saturday.
- Limited spaces available in Hull Street lot in Locust Point neighborhood, approximately one mile from Ft. McHenry, for “park and walk.”
- No other parking within the Locust Point community will be permitted for non-residents.
- The Water Taxi service will not be in service for this event.
Free Shuttle Bus Service
- Primary access to Fort McHenry will be by MTA Shuttle bus service operating from Russell Street at M&T Bank Stadium and Camden yards.
- Post-event shuttle bus service will run from 8:00 pm until 11:00 pm from Ft. McHenry back to Russell Street at M&T Bank Stadium.
- There is no charge for the shuttle bus service.
Light Rail
- Visitors are encouraged to utilize Light Rail Train (via Hamburg Street Station) for the normal Saturday fees, where they can catch the MTA shuttle to Ft. McHenry.
- Light Rail Train service will remain in operation until 11:00 pm
Security Checks
- The National Park Service will be conducting security/bag checks on all visitors entering the Fort, similar to normal Park security precautions.
Handicapped Parking
- Handicapped Parking will be provided on Lots N and R at M&T Bank Stadium.
- MTA's Paratransit buses will transport these patrons to and from Fort McHenry.
[ A map of recommended parking and shuttle routes can be found at Baltimore.org/phelps. ]
