from movoto.com
It’s the people of Maryland who make the state as unique and surprising as it is—especially because they’re obsessed with the Ravens, “Hairspray” and John Waters, "Hon".
27 Things People From Maryland Love
1. Crabs, Crabs, And More Crabs
Source: Facebook user Maryland
The one thing that Marylanders can all agree on is that their crabs are the best, period. Maryland blue crabs have been an integral part of the state’s economy and dinner plates since the 1800s. Steamed, doused in vinegar and Old Bay, crab cakes—any way you serve them up, crabs win Maryland.
2. Knowing Old Bay Seasoning Goes On Everything
Source: Facebook user Maryland
Old Bay is a Maryland condiment staple and can be found, literally, everywhere you go in the state. It’s a must on crabs and seafood, but the locals use it in and on pretty much everything.
The most serious seasoning enthusiasts will argue, though, that the only seasoning worth using is J.O.
3. The Ocean, Where Life’s A Beach
Source: Facebook user Assateague Island National Seashore
Whether they vacation in Ocean City, North Beach, or anywhere else, Marylanders love their beaches. They’re clean, family-friendly, and thanks to Maryland’s high humidity, you can catch some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen off the horizon of the coast.
4. A Good Old Natty Boh
Source: Facebook user National Bohemian
National Bohemian beer is another Maryland staple which all the locals refer to as “Natty Boh.” Originally brewed in Baltimore, the National Brewing Company was sold to Pabst Blue Ribbon, but Baltimore still accounts for nearly 90 percent of its sales.
5. The Pizza Squares From Heaven At Ledo’s
Source: Flickr user Denise Miller
What started as a pizza shop in Adelphi in 1955 has turned into a wildly popular chain throughout Maryland and Virginia. Pizza lovers from all over Maryland flock to Ledo’s new location in downtown College Park for a slice of this thin crusted, square deliciousness.
6. Being A “Hon”
Source: Facebook user HONFEST
Hon is more than just a nickname for your spouse in Maryland, it’s an entire culture of its own. Between the 50s and 70s, women commonly wore brightly colored dresses with big beehive hairdos and thick accents that accentuated the way they abbreviated “honey.”
The beehives might be gone, but not the tradition.
7. Winning With The Baltimore Ravens...
Source: Facebook user Baltimore Ravens
After the fiasco of the Colts packing up and moving to Indianapolis in the middle of the night (don’t bring it up, it’s a sore subject), The Ravens were established in 1996 when the owner of the Cleveland Browns announced he was moving the team to Baltimore.
Since 2000, The Ravens have won two Super Bowls, four AFC North division titles, and made the playoffs nine times, winning over fans across the state.
8. … Or Sticking With The Washington Redskins
Source: Washington Redskins
And after the Colts left Maryland without a single football team (sigh), The Redskins’ owner moved the team to play on Maryland soil and win over some of the fans who were wanting a team to back. It largely worked.
And Maryland residents who follow The Redskins consider themselves way more loyal football fans than Ravens supporters.
9. Going Crazy For The Baltimore Orioles...
Source: Facebook user Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles might have had a losing season from 1998-2011, but their fans never quit them, and they say it’s even made them more loyal.
10. … Or Preferring The Washington Nationals
Source: Facebook user Washington Nationals
This Baltimore sports team is like trying to keep up with a soap opera. The rivalry between the Orioles and the Nationals has been brewing since the Nationals moved to D.C. in 2005. And because of the close proximity there are a lot of Nationals fans in Maryland, which Orioles would refer to as “fightin’ words.”
11. Knowing "The Star Spangled Banner" Belongs To Them
Source: Facebook user Maryland
Scott F. Key wrote a poem that became The Star Spangled Banner during the War of 1812 in Maryland. So, naturally, all of Maryland thinks the National Anthem is theirs. It’s become a tradition during Orioles games for a large mass of fans to shout “OH!” and over-exaggerate during the “O, say can you see…” part of the song, representing their team pride.
12. And Knowing There’s Something Special About Snowballs
Source: Facebook user Icy Delights Snowballs
Shaved ice and snow cones are popular many places throughout the country, but everyone in Maryland knows that snowballs are worlds ahead. From Memorial Day until Labor Day, eager customers line up at snowball stands across the state to indulge in this essential summer sweet treat.
13. “The Raven,” And Anything Else Related To Poe
Source: Flickr user David Kirsch
Edgar Allan Poe got his break in Baltimore when he won a contest for best short story in the Baltimore Saturday Visitor in 1833. Poe pride and memorabilia can be found all throughout the city, from the name of their NFL team to the kitschy Annabelle Lee Tavern, to the gravestone where he was buried.
Anyone who spends any amount of time in the city will be able to forget Poe “nevermore.”
14. The Real Miracle On 34th Street
Source: Facebook user Maryland
Hampden is home to the Miracle On 34th Street, an entire street of homes uniquely and intricately decorated to celebrate the season with displays like a hubcap Christmas tree and giant menorahs. Not all the locals are thrilled with it due to the heavy increase in traffic, but the tradition continues to hold strong since 1947.
15. Knowing All The Words To “Good Morning Baltimore”
Source: Facebook user Hairspray
Hairspray is almost as popular in Maryland as the crabs are. Almost. The 1988 John Waters movie was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2002 and back into a movie again in 2007, and can be found playing in Maryland on any given day.
With songs like “Good Morning Baltimore” and “Miss Baltimore Crabs”, it’s easy to see why.
16. And Crazy John Waters For Making It Possible
Source: Wiki Commons author Al
John Waters is a jack of all trades, but he's best known as a cult film screenwriter and stand up comedian. His most notable works include the original "Hairspray" movie and "Cry Baby," and his films are set in the best Maryland city ever, of course.
17. The Navy. Always.
Source: Facebook user United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis is the second oldest of the country’s five service academies. So it’s easy to guess where everyone’s allegiance goes during the annual US Army-Navy game. By the way, the Navy leads the on-going tradition with 58 wins to 49 losses!
18. The Scariest Yet Coolest Bridge Ever
Source: Facebook user Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
Technically, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel belongs to Virginia, but if you live in Maryland, you have undoubtedly crossed it a few dozen times, and each time has been as magnificent and terrifying as the last. The bridge leaves drivers feeling extremely exposed and the tunnel makes you feel crazy claustrophobic. But it’s always a sight to behold.
19. Getting Down With The Preakness
Source: Facebook user Preakness Stakes
This thoroughbred horse race follows the Kentucky Derby and is the second leg of the US Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes has been held on the third Saturday of every May at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore since 1873. With purse winnings upwards of $1 million, draws crowds of over 100,000 people each year.
20. The Crazy, Artsy Side Of Baltimore...
Source: Facebook user American Visionary Art Museum
The folks in Maryland aren’t shy about giving their opinions on the downsides of Baltimore, but the art scene isn’t one of them. Charm City is full of eclectic collections, street art, and museums: The Visionary Art Museum, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, and Edgar Allan Poe’s House among many others. They all work together to keep Baltimore as beautifully weird as possible.
21. ... And The Smart Side
Source: Flickr user A.Currell
Two floors of interactive and highly entertaining educational exhibits have landed The Maryland Science Museum in the top 10 of best science museums in the US according to Parents Magazine and Trekaroo. Gorgeously located right on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, exhibits include full-scale dinosaur replicas and a planetarium.
22. The Coolest State Flag, Period
Source: Facebook user Maryland Terrapins
Maryland’s state flag is the coolest and easily the most distinctive state flag of all 50 states. It’s also the only one that is derived from English heraldry. While people in other states barely even know what their flag looks like, Marylanders fly theirs proudly all across the state.
23. Having Their Own Personal Iron Man
Source: Flickr user BenSpark
Cal Ripken, Jr. was born in Maryland and went on to play shortstop and third base for the Orioles for 21 years. He played in 19 All Star games, won 2 MVP awards, and broke Lou Gehrig’s record for most consecutive games.
Ripkin, nicknamed “Iron man” remains very active in the community, opening a minor league team in his hometown of Aberdeen and contributing to numerous charitable organizations.
24. The State Sport Of Jousting (Really)
Source: Flickr user Danny_Eugene
Maryland, the first state to adopt an official sport, claimed jousting as their own back in 1962. Visitors can check out the sport at the official jousting tournaments that take place May through October. And anyone interested in joining in on the festivities while tearing apart a turkey leg can get tickets to the Maryland Renaissance Festival every fall.
25. ... And The State Team Sport Of Lacrosse
Source: Facebook user Maryland Terrapins
Sports Illustrated wrote that lacrosse “has always been the showcase for the flower of Maryland manhood.” Because it’s so damn popular, and because some people never really understood the whole “jousting-as-the-state-sport thing.”
So, lacrosse became the official state team sport in 2004 while jousting remains the state sport.
26. All The Fresh Hand-Picked Fruit
Source: Facebook user Maryland
Apples, strawberries, cherries, peaches, blueberries, plums – Maryland is full of orchards and farms where you can pick your own. The fruit here is the epitome of fresh and, even more importantly, as local as your backyard.
27. An Escape To The Mountains
Source: Facebook user Maryland
If beaches aren’t your thing but you still like to be outdoors, guess what? Maryland has mountains, too! And everyone loves hiking, camping, biking, you name it. You might even catch a war re-enactment if you’re lucky. The people love those too.
