If you are like me and unable make the trip to Pimlico Race Course to catch the Preakness Stakes in person, you can still “Get Your Preak On” by throwing a Preakness watch party.

Here are some helpful tips to throw the ultimate Preakness party with your friends and family. Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC, so fire up the big screen and watch ’em run!

Décor

I’m no interior designer, but it’s no secret that the key colors of the Preakness are red, yellow, and black and your decorations should reflect this. The Preakness logo and the Maryland flag both feature these core colors, which should set the mood for you and your guests. On a budget? Go for red, yellow, and black solo cups to serve your drinks in. Feeling extravagant? You could invest in a Maryland flag to hang at your party and a bundle of black-eyed Susans, the official flower of the Preakness (or at least some similar sunflowers), for your centerpiece.

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire

Grub

Having crab cakes (click here for a fantastic recipe) at your party are a must. Preparing them can be a bit on the pricey side, so I’d stick to making bite sized ones and serving them as appetizers. For a main course, you can stick to standard fare such as burgers. Or if you want to get crafty, you can throw together a nice seafood stew to celebrate Baltimore’s reputation as a seafood mecca. I suggest a spicey tomato-based broth (fra diavlo) complemented with shrimp, scallops, clams, and some fresh veggies served with some crusty sourdough bread. Delish!

Drinks

Black-eyed Susans - the drink version - will flow like wine this Saturday. Here is a simple guide from fellow ambassador Victoria Garafalo on how to mix one up. If your guests are not fans of hard liquor, fear not. Spring for a Baltimore craft beer, such as the appropriately named “Lucky 7” porter from Evolution Craft Brewing.

HOW TO MAKE A BLACK-EYED SUSAN

Know the Horses

Keep your guests informed about the horses with our handy Preakness Cheat Sheet. Knowing the background of the runners only adds to your appreciation for the race and provides a strong foundation for our next tip ...  

Place a Bet

It’s always nice to have some skin in the game. Luckily, Derby Jackpot has made betting on the Triple Crown races a breeze. Check out their designated site for betting on the Preakness here.

#BigRaceBingo

America’s Best Racing’s Big Race Bingo will keep you glued to your television set throughout the NBC broadcast. You can even offer fun prizes for whoever wins, such as treating the guest to a round of drinks and food at your local track the next time you have an outing.