This year, the Oct. 3 Preakness Stakes marks the end of the 2020 Triple Crown. While there will be no fans in the stands at Pimlico due to the ongoing pandemic, there are plenty of ways you can celebrate the Preakness from home with our tips below.

Décor:

If you’re throwing a socially-distanced party or celebrating the Preakness with friends via video chat, it’s always a fun idea for the backdrop to be on-theme. Below are some fast and affordable Preakness party decorations for your consideration?

Pick a cool centerpiece.

Holding an IRL party? These disposable lacey facemasks are very fashion-forward for the discerning Preakness party guest!

Kind of obsessed with this horse racing streamer!

And I’m also deeply into this Maryland flag banner.

These Thoroughbred-themed cupcake/appetizer toppers are adorable and very festive.

Oooh, horse racing-themed centerpieces!

Do you need 50 miniature Maryland state flags in your life? I bet you do.

I very much like these disposable crab-themed cups that will be perfect for your Black-Eyed Susans.

Maryland foods for your viewing party:

Every Preakness viewing party needs some Maryland-inspired dishes. Here’s a selection of morsels for you to have on-hand this Oct. 3:

Crab Dip:

If you’ve never had crab dip before, you’re in for a good time. Cheesy, hearty, and savory, this is a great dish for a cozy fall Preakness at home. I really love this version from Sally’s Baking Addiction, but you can’t go wrong with the official Old Bay recipe!

Crab cakes:

Nothing says Maryland like a terrific crab cake. (WikiMedia Commons)

I will not judge you for grabbing some crab cakes from the grocery store and popping them in your oven (I will do the exact same thing), but Once Upon a Chef has your back if you want to make them from scratch. Alternatively, if you’re vegan or just don’t want to deal with making crab, One Green Planet has you covered.

Stuffed ham:

I’d never heard of it before, but I am intrigued: the official Visit Maryland website has an easy recipe for this centuries-old dish which I would definitely like to try when I have a small army to feed.

Baltimore pit beef:

It’s a roast beef sandwich turned up to 11. You know you want it, and the Washington Post shares a recipe from Baltimore’s own Beef Barons.

Berger Cookies (WikiMedia Commons)

Berger cookies:

I’d never experienced the wonder and the glory of Maryland’s Berger cookies until my friend Stephen Bardsley introduced them to me; and, let me tell you, I am a much happier person having learned about them. There’s time to order the original before the Preakness, but here’s a good copycat recipe from King Arthur Flower if you want to make your own!

Smith Island cake:

A multi-layer cake that’s just as beautiful as it is decadent? Yes, please! Once again, we turn to Visit Maryland for two spins on this classic. I’ve never seen icing made in either of these ways, so I’m very game to try this!

Cocktails:

You’re going to need something to accompany all of this delicious food! From cocktails to beer to nonalcoholic options, we have something for everyone below.

The Black-Eyed Susan (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

The official cocktail of the Preakness Stakes is the Black-Eyed Susan, and if you’re a fan of fruity and refreshing cocktails, this one’s for you. The Spruce Eats has a very nice version for you to enjoy this Preakness.

Another cocktail beloved by Marylanders is the Orange Crush. Fresh-squeezed orange juice for adults, this delicious beverage packs a punch and taste like summer.

Are you a beer drinker? Then be sure to snag some National Bohemian (lovingly known as Natty Boh’ in Baltimore) for your Preakness Party. Even if you’ve never had the beer before, I bet you’ll recognize the mascot when you see it!

Want to serve a sophisticated mocktail with Maryland roots? Meet the Salty Sage, which sounds absolutely wonderful for a fall afternoon of horse racing.

Betting:

Wanna play the Preakness? Awesome! If you’re watching from home, the first thing to do is make sure you’ve set up an account, which is legal in most states. Try to get your account going in the week leading up to the Preakness, since it can take up to 24 hours for money to deposit from a credit card. Looking for the perfect app? We have a nice list here for you to choose from, complete with all the details on how to set up your account.