To celebrate the start of the 2011 NFL regular season, the Baltimore Ravens and Miller Lite will host Countdown to Kickoff next week. The festivities include events on Thursday (9/8) and Friday (9/9) that are free and open to the public and culminate with the Ravens' opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 11, at M&T Bank Stadium.
Activities begin on Thursday, Sept. 8, when the Ravens, Miller Lite and 98Rock present the 2011 Kickoff Party from 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. at Power Plant Live!. The celebration will include a live broadcast of the NFL season opener (Saints vs. Packers), Ravens cheerleaders, mascots, the marching band, talent from 98Rock and a concert featuring Chevelle and Hinder (with opening performances by Pop Evil and Egypt Central). Entrance to the concert is free, but space is limited to those who are 21 or older. In addition to the concert, there will be free giveaways and prizes.
Then, on Friday, Sept. 9, the Ravens will take to the streets to spread the kickoff spirit when they launch their 2011 Purple Fridays festivities with a caravan that travels around Baltimore. The team invites fans to get decked-out in Ravens gear and join the afternoon caravan as it stops by M&T Bank branches (Hunt Valley and Glen Burnie), Verizon Wireless (Timonium and Harbor East), Giant Food (Hunt Valley and Timonium), the Air Tran terminal at BWI Airport, Smyth Jewelers (Timonium), Bill Bateman's Bistro (Glen Burnie and Perry Hall) and JoS. A. Bank (Towson).
The Purple Friday celebration lasts late into the night, as the traveling group of Ravens cheerleaders, team mascot and staff stop by the following local bars: The Twisted Harp, BJ's Pub, Desantis Pizza Grill and Bar, Gunpowder Lodge, Pappas, Jerry D's Tavern, Emerald Tavern, Firehouse Tavern, Casey's Bar & Restaurant, The Greene Turtle in Hunt Valley, Towne Tavern and Spirits, Piv's Pub and Padonia Station, with the grand finale at Hightopps Backstage Grille. Each stop will feature Miller Lite specials and giveaways, as well as custom Ravens Under Armour shirts, among other prizes.
For more information on the 2011 Countdown to Kickoff Week, visit www.baltimoreravens.com/CTK.
