This Saturday, downtown Baltimore's eclectic Washington Village section will live up to its memorable nickname of "Pigtown," as residents welcome the 2009 Pigtown Festival, a raucous tradition that truly is a celebration of all things pig.
From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., fans of good food and drink, arts and crafts, lively local music and, of course, pigs can get a full taste of why the Pigtown Festival, one of Baltimore's strangest shindigs, is so much fun.
Hopkins students should have an easy time showing up for a full day's worth of festivities, which are located only minutes from the Inner Harbor Collegetown shuttle stop in the 700 and 800 blocks of Washington Boulevard.
The festival has teamed up with the American Red Cross of Central Maryland and a host of other local sponsors and features a packed schedule of events.
As the festival's name would suggest, the celebration centers around the much-loved and exciting running of the pigs. This high-stakes race is run on Washington Boulevard five times over the course of the day, first to open the festival at 11:30 and then again at 2:00, 3:30, 4:30 and 5:45 p.m.
Meanwhile, a slew of local bands and artists will be performing live on two different stages. A varied mix of southern rock, jazz, blues, reggae and more will ensure that there's something for everyone.
Of course, no boisterous street festival would be complete without large quantities of food and drink, and the Pigtown Festival wouldn't be the same without its copious quantities of bacon and other assorted fair foods.
Pigtown go-ers enjoy their food, and there's plenty of it to munch on during the pig races and stage performances.
There are also arts and crafts tables along Washington Boulevard and special events for kids, making the Pigtown Festival a place where Baltimoreans of all ages and interests can come together for a day of loud, messy fun.
The festival also features another animal-lover-friendly event at 3:15, the always-competitive pooch pageant. Here, owners can bring their lovable pet dogs to be judged by their unique costumes and general canine charm. A surprise guest judge selects and awards prizes to the three most unique dogs.
It's all part of the over-the-top visual fun that makes the Pigtown fest such an event to remember.
The Pigtown Festival is located right in the heart of Baltimore's cultural district for those who want to spend a full day downtown but who don't necessarily want to be staring at pigs running around in circles all day.
Again, it's only a short walk from the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards, and Washington Village is also home to several other attractions, including the B & O Railroad Museum and Carroll Park.
Anyone can stop by the Pigtown Festival to take in the sights, sounds and smells, and still have plenty of time to access the other gems, hidden and obvious, in Baltimore.
Especially-interested attendees can choose to sponsor a pig, or at least figure out which performers are playing. A map of the area can also be found.
Pigtown and the entire Inner Harbor are easily accessible by the Collegetown shuttle or other methods of transportation on the weekend.
As the festival's own promotional site puts it, "Come and see what everybody is squealing about!"
It's a great opportunity to take in one of Baltimore's stranger traditions, to explore a lesser-known, yet still centrally located part of town, and to mingle with fellow lovers of pork, pigs, music and fun.
Swine flu be damned, come to the 2009 Pigtown Festival in historic Pigtown; you won't be disappointed.
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