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Details
• Show Place Arena/Prince George's County Equestrian Center,
14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, (301) 952-7999
• Wyvill's Tavern, 5735 Crain Hwy. (U.S. 301), Upper
Marlboro, (301) 952-1222
• Marlborough Country Club, 4750 John Rogers Blvd., Upper
Marlboro, (301) 952-1300)
• Patuxent River Park, 16000 Croom Airport Rd., Upper
Marlboro, (301) 627-6074
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By
Theodore Fischer, Washington Sidewalk
Those
not drawn to Upper Marlboro, Md., by arrest warrants or tax liens are
usually there for events at Show Place Arena/Prince George's Equestrian
Center.
On the site of the old Marlboro Racetrack, the steepled Show Place
Arena has since 1993 hosted events that appeal to P.G. County's
diverse people and pastimes: gun shows, dog shows, wrestling and boxing,
computer expos, basketball and appearances by James Brown, the Boys Choir
of Harlem and Barney.
In October 1997 the arena became home ice for the Washington area's newest
pro sports team, the Chesapeake Icebreakers (top), a Tampa Bay Lightning
farm club. (Wheels are also turning to bring a pro basketball rookie
league team.) Show Place has all the minor-league virtues: low admission
and concession prices, minute player egos, free parking and every seat in
the same ZIP code as the playing surface.
Show Place Arena shares an address and parking lot with the Prince
George's Equestrian Center, site of the P.G. County Fair, horse shows,
dressage events and other forms of horsing around.
The downside of Upper Marlboro is a dearth of appealing places to eat and
drink nearby. Wyvill's Tavern, possibly familiar as a venue for
Redskins live radio remote broadcasts, is a rollicking sports bar with a
lengthy happy hour (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Ledo's pizza and several types of
half-pound ''baseball burgers.''
Clubby but hardly snooty, Marlborough Country Club concocts lavish
sandwiches and boasts, "We are proud to serve Hormel products and
Coca-Cola soft drinks."
Take the scenic way home from Upper Marlboro by way of Patuxent River
Park, a 6,000-acre nature preserve that offers special driving tours
on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To get there, take U.S. 301 south, turn
left on Croom Station Road, left again on Croom Road (Route 382) and left
again on Croom Airport Road into the park.
See also: Walking
tour of Upper Marlboro
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