Schedule of Events

Thursday Sept. 14

Baltoberfest Event #1:  Baltimore Orioles Baseball Game 

Since the Orioles are out of town during the weekend, we started Baltoberfest a bit early and organized a group rate to attend a baseball game at Camden Yards.  Many VTers will be arriving early to attend..  At this point, our group arrangements have already been made.  But if you can find tickets to the event, come find us in the vicinity of Section 346, Row C.  We're playing the Boston Red Sox.  

A cute little Baltimore thing: When they sing the National Anthem at a game (The Star Spangled Banner, written at Baltimore's own, Ft. McHenry, near LP Steamers), everyone sings quietly, until they get to the part when it say "O!" as in, O, say does that star spangled banner yet....And yell, O! It's really fun! Sometimes, even, unfortunately, the very best part of the game (of late).

If you arriving on Thursday night, we may find a place to have some drinks afterwards.  Contact us.

Friday Sept. 15

The majority of VTers will be arriving during the day on Friday.  When you get here, connect with some of your fellow VTers, and find a place for to have dinner.  Save some energy for the next event though!  We'll be happy to provide dining suggestions to suit your tastes, budgets, and geographical restrictions. (But check Baltimore VT pages before asking)

Baltoberfest Event #2:  Friday Night Happy Hour                                       6PM

You asked, and we responded!  You want Happy Hour?  OK, we've organized TWO Happy Hours where you can gather before our organized bowling event. 

The TWO options for Happy Hour!

1. Ellen & Larry's Happy Hour begins around 5 to 5:30 pm at Brewer's Art.  This is an excellent higher class place in the Mount Vernon District, but the food is a bit overpriced.  This will probably last an hour or more, then everyone will be heading to the Fell's Point area via Cab around 7pm,  to an indetermined Bar/Restaurant to eat.  If you're on the mailing list, you have Larry's cell phone number to find out where everyone is.  The bowling alley is a 10 minute walk from Fell's Point.
    

2. Frank's Happy Hour will begin around 6 to 6:30 pm at Bay Cafe, on the water in the Canton District.  (about a $6 cab ride from downtown).  Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!  We'll walk as a group from there to the Bowling Alley, departing around 8:30pm (a nice waterfront walk of about 15 minutes).  Bay Cafe is a good place to get some decent appetizers and bar food, in a Caribbean themed bar.  You can call or text-message frank to see if we're still there.

Your hosts will be wearing small 'Virtual Tourist' pins on their shirts, to help identify them.....

Baltoberfest Event #3:  Duckpin Bowling at Patterson Bowl                             9PM

After your dinner and/or drinks, make your way over to Patterson Bowl to partake in a true Baltimore "sport": DUCKPIN BOWLING! We will meet on the second floor of Patterson Bowl, and have all the lanes reserved to ourselves from 9 until 11 pm.  We'll be there by 830pm.

At Patterson Bowl, you can bring your own beer and wine. Luckily, there is a liquor store, Loading Dock Liquors, less than a block away...just a quick, and charming walk down a rowhoused-line alley.... There is a designated smoking area. Shoe rentals are $2.00 per pair as of this writing. We will be dividing the cost of the bowling alley rental, even if you don't bowl.....a fee of most likely less than $5 per person.   So, expect to pay $7 for this event if you bowl.

For more information on Patterson Bowl, and duckpins in general, click here: Patterson Bowl

Baltoberfest Event #4:  Karaoke at Kelly's                                                       11PM

After bowling, we're planning to wander across the street to a very local bar called Kelly's to have a few more drinks, and engage in karaoke madness. True, this is not a original Baltimore activity, but it should be quite fun!  (There's been plenty of excitement and speculation on the VT forums)  It is likely that the bar will be closed, and we will have the karaoke all to ourselves.    So, start practicing your favorite tunes!   Note:  Kelly's is an example of one of the many 'dive' bars in this neighborhood that we all enjoy.  Don't expect any glitz or glamour!

Once you've made a fool of yourself with a microphone in your hand, Frank will be leading a tour of some of the fine and numerous bars/taverns/pubs within walking distance of Patterson Bowl.  But ONLY after you sing!

Saturday Sept. 16

The day is yours! Feel free to get together with some of your smaller groups and explore.  Maybe you need to recover from your hangover?  Find some ethnic foods?  Just remember that the evening will feature crabs and beer, followed by beer and dancing!

Before you ask what you should do, why don't you browse the Baltimore VT Pages?  We will offer suggestions on what to do, and the sky's the limit. There is plenty to do downtown near the waterfront.  There are museums, markets, seafood, drinking, shopping...whatever your heart desires.

Some ideas for you to research further:

• Baltimore & Ohio Railway Museum

• Mount Vernon district - The Walthers Art Museum, Peabody Institute

• Johns Hopkins University Campus (don't go to the Hospital, it's in a bad neighborhood)

• Great Blacks in Wax Museum

• Baltimore Streetcar Museum

• Baltimore Industrial Museum

• American Visionary Art Museum  (a frank favorite)

• Annapolis, Maryland

• Washington DC.  If you're travelling from far away, you really should get a look at our nation's capitol.  You can be at DC's Union Station in about 35-40 minutes via Amtrak from Baltimore's Penn Station.

For additional ideas, check out each host's page for their personal taste of Baltimore:

[Frank's Baltimore] [Ellen's Baltimore] [Larry's Baltimore]

Baltoberfest Event #5:  Frank's Walking Tour                                                 2PM

Frank will be leading a walking tour of the downtown area, programmed to finish at Event #6: The Crab Feast.  Bring your walking shoes, and a water bottle, and some cash.  (I would say to bring a camera, but you are a VTer.  It's just assumed)

Frank will begin this wandering tour at the Southern end of Broadway, at Thames street, at around 2pm.  He'll be basically taking people counter-clockwise around the downtown area and waterfront, to end up at LP Steamer before 6pm.  From Fell's Point, we'll move West along the water, past the Little Italy area, to the Inner Harbor.  Then north to the Mt Vernon area, then back downtown near the Stadiums, and on to Federal Hill and South Baltimore.  This walk may include beer stops and snack stops, so there is no real itinerary.  Please call FRANK to find out where the group is, if you'd like to join us later.  We'll probably depart the Inner Harbor area around 5pm.  That way, if you can't begin with us, you can finish with us and at least walk to the Crab Feast!



Baltoberfest Event #6:  VT Crab Feast at LP Steamers                          6PM

This is about as local as you're going to get in B-more! Don't worry if you've never eaten a steamed crab, the LP Steamer's link has some preliminary instructions.  But why read, when you can learn get crab shells all over the place and learn in-person! The good folks at LP Steamers will have extra staff on hand to help out, and there are a few  VTers who are pros at this (but most of whom would rather pick their own crabs!)  Think fast, Frank will be picking the best crabs for himself!!

It's all about drinking beer (cheap, water-y, domestic beer by the pitcher and in plastic cups), getting dirty, cracking, pulling, sucking, and having a good time and chowing down. We'll also make sure to have other food around, so, if you can't get into the crab thing, you won't go too hungry.

This event will commence at 6pm. The cost is $26 per person including just about as many crabs as you can eat, or approximately 8 crabs per person, french fries, sodas, beer (only Miller Lite, Coors Lite, or Yuengling by the pitcher--and, if we overdo it, we will be charged additionally for each pitcher). For those who would rather endure long flights in the middle seat in coach than drink cheap domestic beer, there will be Becks, Heinekin, Bass, and Guiness for sale at $4/btl. PLEASE NOTE: Given the mercurial nature of seafood prices, this is all subject to change. Will will provide any updates in advance of the event.

Should you be averse to crab eating, for the same price, you can order a platter. But, be warned: As in most crab houses, food other than steamed crabs are generally not a strong suit. C'mon, this is a CRAB FEAST.  We can't really do too much for you if you won't at least try them.

Everyone should expect to pay an additional $5 for a tip.  This event is CASH ONLY, and try to bring exact change if possible.  So, the total due is $31 when we begin.  Any additional drinking beyond what is included, will be charged extra later.

For more info on LP Steamer, click here: LP Steamers

Baltoberfest Event #7:  Dancing at Latin Palace                                   After Event #5

The post-crabs activity will, of course, be dancing. There should be several options, but we are hoping to take a big crowd to Fells Point, for dancing at the hot! hot! hot! Latin Palace. We ask, what better to follow a night of steamed crabs than a night of steamy dancing? We have negotiated a cover charge of $5 (instead of the usual $10) for this event.

Latin Palace is a mere two blocks from central Fell's Point as well.  The plans are fluid here, we could end up anywhere!  You're adults, you can handle it.

Sunday, Sept. 17

Baltimore Farmer's Market

We figure that as this point no one should be asked to get up early to hit an organized brunch.....But, we'll have plenty of suggestions for where you may wish to go.  (Ellen is the expert on that subject)

Ellen would suggest getting up early enough (that is, before about 11 am) to get over to the Farmer's Market (under the Jones Falls Expressway, or JFX). This is her favorite activity of the week, not just because she's into the fresh produce, and the fact that it's a bit of a social hour.  It's the one place in Baltimore where you get the entire cross-section of the city. And, oddly, most people there are in good moods...and fairly friendly...

Click here: Farmer's Market

Frank's Walking Tour                                                                                    12PM?

If there is significant interest from Saturday's walking tour, it can be repeated, or modified on Sunday.  This schedule will stay dynamic based on your input and requests....  You pick the destinations.  Your hosts will be going to the Farmers Market in the morning, so anytime after that is good.

Baltoberfest Event #8:  Blob's Park Biergarten                                                 4PM

If you're still around, several of us will be ringing out Baltoberfest in true --oberfest style, by heading to a real live suburban Baltimore biergarten called Blob's Park in the early evening. It's a simple place with simple beer and food available, the oompah band plays plenty of Polkas for your dancing pleasure.  Overall, it's a relaxing friendly place.  More details will be provided during Saturday's crabfeast!

Summary of COSTS/ PRICING

Baseball Game:  Our group tickets cost $13.  If you really want to join us, there could always be cancellations and extra tickets available.  Ask.  Otherwise, there are plenty of scalpers outside the gates.

Duckpin Bowing at Patterson Bowl: most likely $5 per person, whether bowling or not.  Plus an additional $2 per person for shoe rentals if you bowl.

Karaoke: Costs only for what you choose to drink.

Crabs at LP Steamers: Cost (as of this writing) $26 per person, plus $5 for tip. Additional money may be required if people drink more than the allotted amount (approximately a pitcher of beer for every 2 to 3 people, or if people drink beverages other than those included).  Please don't show up expecting to pay less because you eat less.  We're trying to keep this simple.

Dancing at Latin Palace: Our negotiated group cover charge $5, instead of the usual $10. We need to know your real name and the names in your party for the guest list.

Please note: having your name on the guest list does NOT commit you attending. It merely means that if you DO attend, you can get in for half price.