To celebrate the start of the NFL's 2012 regular season, the Baltimore Ravens and Miller Lite will host Countdown to Kickoff this week. The festivities include events on Wednesday (9/5), Thursday (9/6) and Friday (9/7) that are free and open to the public, and everything culminates with the Ravens' nationally-televised opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Sept. 10, at M&T Bank Stadium (7 p.m. on ESPN).
Activities begin on Wednesday when the Ravens, Miller Lite and 98Rock present the 2012 Kickoff Party from 5:00–11:00 p.m. at Power Plant Live!. The celebration will include a live broadcast of the NFL season opener (Cowboys vs. Giants), the Ravens Cheerleaders, Playmakers, mascots, the team's marching band, talent from 98Rock and a concert featuring Theory of a Deadman. 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.
On Thursday, all 40 female Ravens Cheerleaders and the 98Rock Morning Show will be on-site at the Greene Turtle - McHenry Row to autograph the squad's newly-launched 2012 swimsuit calendar. The party starts at 5:00 p.m., and autographs will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Heading into the season's first official Purple Friday, the Ravens will take to the streets to spread kickoff spirit with a caravan that travels around Baltimore. The team invites fans to get decked-out in Ravens gear and join the all-day caravan as it stops by Cancun Cantina (Hanover), M&T Bank branches (White Marsh and Owings Mills), Verizon Wireless (Columbia and Harbor East), Giant Food (Parkville and Belair), the Southwest terminal at BWI Airport, Smyth Jewelers (Timonium) and Bill Bateman's Bistro (Glen Burnie), with a special stop to celebrate the War of 1812 Bicentennial at Fort McHenry.
The Purple Friday celebration lasts late into the night, as the traveling group of cheerleaders, team mascot and staff stop by the following local bars: Pappas Seafood Co., Emerald Tavern, Firehouse Tavern, Casey's Bar & Restaurant, The Greene Turtle (Hunt Valley), The Towne Tavern, Hightopps Backstage Grille, Charles Village Pub & Patio, Social Pub & Pie, The Abbey Burger Bistro, No Way Jose Café, Ryleigh's Oyster Bar, Stalking Horse, MaGerks Pub & Grill, Mad River Bar and Grille, Banditos Tacos & Tequila, Ropewalk Tavern, Cowboys & Rednecks Pub and Mother's Federal Hill Grille. Each stop will feature Miller Lite specials and giveaways, as well as custom Ravens shirts, among other prizes.
For more information on the 2012 Countdown to Kickoff Week, visit **www.baltimoreravens.com/CTK**.
