For the next four weeks, McDaniel College in Westminster becomes the mecca for football fans as the Ravens quarterbacks, rookies and selected veterans take the practice field on Tuesday for a pair of sessions. The team's first full practice that is open to the public is today. Here are just a few ideas on what to do if you plan on attending training camp.
Where to watch
The upper fields are where the majority of practices will take place. Bleachers line one side of the field, and they are covered. Practices will occasionally shift to Bair Stadium during inclement weather or when the team wants to give the grass upper fields a rest. Parking is free and available at Bair Stadium off Main Street and overflow lots on Pennsylvania Avenue.
A.I.'s favorite part about sports
Morning practices are quite involved. There are individual and positional drills, rushing exercises, seven-on-seven passing drills and full-team practices usually in a span of about 2½ hours. The afternoon practices are generally shorter, especially those involving special teams.
One slight change
On Saturday, Aug. 7, the organization will shift training camp to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, offering a free practice at noon. Fans can park in lots A, B, C, G, H, and J, which will open at 9 a.m. Parking is $5 per vehicle with oversized cars being charged $25, and cold tailgating is allowed. The stadium will open at 11 a.m.
Staying cool
Drink lots of water and juice, but alcohol is prohibited. Sunscreen, hats, and lightweight clothing are also a must — especially at Bair Stadium, where there is little shelter from the sun.
New autograph policy
As has been discussed extensively, the Ravens have altered their autograph policy, allowing only children between the ages of 6 and 15 to walk onto the field after each morning practice. Children must wear a Ravens-issued wristband — which will be distributed from a tent near the field — and can bring one item to be signed.
Ravenstown Fan Zone
The Fan Zone offers fans a chance to take part in, among other attractions, the Papa Johns Ravens Rookies Armchair QB Challenge and jousting. The Fan Zone opens with the start of practice and closes at the end of practice.
IN TOWN
Dining out
Plenty of places to eat for Ravens fans. Here are some options:
1.) What's football without chicken wings? Buffalo Wild Wings (404 Englar Road) offers 14 different sauces, ranging from Sweet BBQ to Blazin'.
2.) A Little Bit of Tuscany (84 E. Main St.) offers cigars from its own humidors, half-priced bottles of wine on Wednesdays, and live jazz. Be warned: the restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
3.) For those with hearty appetites, Legends Cafe (532 Baltimore Blvd.) offers a free T-shirt and a picture on the wall for those who can polish off 24 ounces of hamburger. Eating 16 ounces just gets you the picture.
4.) Casa-Rico (400 W. Center St.) has a plethora of specials, including 15 percent off for military personnel, police officers and firefighters on Mondays, 99 cents for each kids entree with a paid adult meal on Tuesdays, and daily lunch buffets for $6.95 between Mondays and Fridays.
5.) In the mood for "Tom Kha" — also known as coconut soup? Try Thai Classic III (17 E. Main St.) for that and other delicacies.
6.) Top off a hot day with a visit to Hoffman's Ice Cream (934 Washington Rd.) and order a scoop or two of Dreamsicle or Orange Pineapple.
For more refinement …
Serpent Ridge Vineyard (2962 Nicodemus Road) is open on Saturdays and Sundays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. There are two other wineries nearby. Cygnus Wine Cellars (3130 Long Lane) is 16 miles away in Manchester, and Galloping Goose Vineyards (4326 Maple Grove Road) is 19 miles away in Hampstead.
Another option
For those who might not prefer football or the heat, Tax Free Week runs from Aug. 8-14, which means you can shop for your child's back-to-school clothing and footwear.
Did you know?
The 40th annual Old-Fashioned Corn Roast Festival (3311 Littlestown Pike) takes place on Saturday, Aug. 7, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Visit http://www.unionmills.org for more information. There's the Lunar Lunker III Nighttime Bass Fishing Tournament (ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/recpark/pineyrun) at Piney Run Park (30 Martz Road in Sykesville) is held on Friday, Aug. 13 between 6 p.m. and midnight. And the 14th annual Eat a Peach Challenge Bike Ride (www.biamd.org) at the Agriculture Center (700 Agriculture Center Drive in Westminster) takes place a day later between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.