FIFI |
RAVENS |
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For most of the year, this 15-foot, pink poodle-shaped kinetic sculpture resides at the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill. But on the first weekend in May, Fifi makes her annual outing for the museum’ s Kinetic Sculpture Race and traverses the city’ s streets in the name of art, competition and Baltimore tradition. Theresa Segreti, a longtime AVAM employee, created Fifi in 2001 to give locals an idea of just how kooky and charming their own kinetic sculptures could be. |
The next time you come to Baltimore for an NFL game, keep an eye out for the Ravens’ three( yes, three!) friendly and feathered mascots: Edgar, Allan and Poe. The team’ s name is a nod to Edgar Allan Poe’ s poem“ The Raven,” of course, but did you know that locals also played a pivotal role in the naming? In a 1996 reader poll conducted by the Baltimore Sun,“ the Ravens” won out overwhelmingly over“ the Americans” and“ the Marauders.”
INNER HARBOR OTTERS
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FLAMINGOS
Designed in 1957, the pink flamingo lawn ornament was a mid-century trend that fell out of favor— until 1972, when Baltimore filmmaker John Waters released“ Pink Flamingos.” Nowadays, Baltimoreans adorn their lawns, stoops and porches with the tacky ornament as a sign of city pride. Want to see an actual Caribbean flamingo in the flesh? Plan a trip to the Maryland Zoo. Go to page 31 to learn more about the zoo!
ORIOLES
Which came first: the state bird or the mascot? In 1947, Maryland designated the Baltimore Oriole as its state bird. Decades before, in 1894, Charm City named its MLB team the Baltimore Orioles. The Oriole Bird has more charm in a single feather than most have in their entire costume— so much so that he earned himself a spot in the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2020. Catch a game at Camden Yards to see the Oriole Bird in the flesh— er, the feathers— soon.
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JUSTIN TSUCALAS |
COURTESY OF THE MARYLAND ZOO |
One would think it’ s the creatures inside the National Aquarium who get the most“ ooohs” and“ ahhs.” But lately a pair of river otters outside in the Harbor Wetland exhibition has stolen the spotlight. They became the talk of the town when a video of them playing in the snow during a winter storm went viral. Be sure to stroll through the wetlands to see if you can spot this adorable duo when you’ re in the Inner Harbor.
CHESSIE DRAGON BOATS
These days, most everyone associates Chessie with the small, colorful boats that have been an integral part of downtown Baltimore for over 50 years. But there’ s more lore here than meets the eye: Legend has it, Chessie is a sea monster said to live in the Chesapeake Bay. Sightings go as far back as 1936. Today, the legend lives on in the Inner Harbor. The dragon-shaped paddle boats are a low-key and low-cost way to get out on the water.
BALTIMORE. ORG
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