tom noonan

The Baltimore Running Festival consistently generates about $40 million in economic impact each year, according to official estimates, and at its peak, the Grand Prix of Baltimore pumped $47 million into area hotels, restaurants and stores. But city officials say this week's Star-Spangled Spectacular — which marks 200 years since troops in Baltimore beat back a British invasion in 1814 — could surpass all those totals.

As the nation's eyes turn to Baltimore for commemoration of the War of 1812 bicentennial next week, businesses leaders are capitalizing on what one official called "the largest tourism event in our city's history" and on the chance to showcase the city in three live national television broadcasts.

Baltimore's long and at times fraught efforts to bring gambling to the city finally succeed with the Horseshoe Casino opening on Tuesday. Observers will watch how it does in an increasingly saturated casino marketplace.

The forecast from Accuweather.com as of Sunday afternoon projects a 30 percent chance of snow when the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks play for the Lombardi Trophy.

Tom Noonan Visit Baltimore travel celebrity

Race and city officials are still trying to determine whether next year's race has a place on Baltimore's calendar

Baltimore fans welcome home the Orioles, who will play their first postseason game at home on Sunday after 15 years.

Baltimore will launch its commemoration of the War of 1812 by land, sea and air this week, starting with parachute jumps into Camden Yards and a parade of tall ships into the harbor. The history-filled week features music, fireworks and an air show over Fort McHenry.

Visit Baltimore, the city's quasi-public marketing and tourism arm, is asking the Hampden Village Merchants Association to pay a membership fee of up to $20,000 per year to join the agency.

The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix helped boost weekend revenues at a sampling of hotels by 44 percent compared to Labor Day weekend last year while more than doubling the take at city-owned parking garages, according to preliminary counts.