Baltimore Ravens Party
Photography: Jessica Fenfert Photography
I’ve wanted to throw my son a Ravens-themed party for years, but I had to pay my dues first. Years of boy themes that I didn’t understand came first, culminating in last year’s dreaded Minecraft. I have yet to forgive my son for that one. But here finally was my chance!
The ravens eyes over the tunnel where the players enter at home games had to be part of the entryway. I found an image online, had it professionally printed and mounted on foam board and then I hand cut and placed above our front door.
Photo: Joy Schreier
The Cake
There really wasn’t a big debate; I always knew I was going to recreate M&T Bank Stadium for this party. I didn’t have any tutorials or ‘how to’ guides - just a touch of insanity. To work it out, I downloaded aerial images of the stadium and started making drawings.
The upper decks and club level seating were essentially giant cookies covered in fondant. Once the lower portion of the stadium was made, I measured out cardboard templates to get the dimensions perfect before cutting. The upper decks supported each other at the corners. I would love to say this was all a part of my master plan. The truth is, I just wound up being really really lucky that it worked out!
The stadium lights worked! I used Lionel Train lights and hid the wiring in a channel I created inside the inner perimeter of the cake. My husband almost burned down the house trying to figure out a daisy chain, but fortunately for us his good friend walked him through the process.
The Food
We hired the incredible Jeno’s Steaks bring their cheesesteak truck to the party. It was such a great idea. It took some pressure off me, but also, wow they were really really good!! Guests were able to order whatever they wanted and the staff at Jeno’s were fabulous. I would hire them again in a heartbeat!
Every girl should have a dad like mine. I’m extra extra blessed. But there are sometimes he picks up the phone and he immediately realizes he shouldn’t have. This was one of those calls. I asked my dad if he would help me make the snack stadium that I found on the NiftyMom blog. I could tell he thought I was crazy, but he didn’t hesitate to say yes. And I’m so glad. It was super cool.
I filled the snack stadium with anything and everything Maryland-related and purple. Top of that list was Berger Cookies! We also had Maryland crab dip, crab chips, all sorts of different purple snacks - purple puppy chow, purple salt water taffy, Laffy Taffy, Grape Nerds, Grape Popcorn, etc. etc. etc.!!
I called on another professional musician (Kristen Dubenion Smith - SweetestNotes) to make these brilliant cookies. I knew the cake was going to take everything I had in the days leading up to the party, so outsourcing these to someone who is an expert at her craft was a no-brainer. Kristen made a personalized jersey for each child at the party and then an assortment of beautifully detailed and impeccably crafted Ravens-themed cookies.
Activities
We wanted the kids to have tons of options for play together. We rented a Ravens bounce house and then set up goal posts so they could also practice their kicks. We had a throwing net for QB training.
Party Elements and Decor
Our son is a big fan of Pat Ricard - fullback for the Baltimore Ravens and one of the only iron men in the league. We reached out and Pat was so kind to send a Cameo message to Tristan that we played at the party.
Partygoers were asked to autograph a football for Tristan to have as a keepsake.
Our helmet signed by the entire 2004 Ravens team, including all three Ravens Hall-of-Famers (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, & Jonathan Ogden) got to be on display.
Posters from all three Hall-of-Famers as well as various signed jerseys we have were also used for decor.
Party Favors
Party favors included Ravens sunglasses, bandanas, candy, commemorative cups, mini footballs, and Ravens hair bows and jewelry for some of the girls in attendance.
All in all I’m really happy with how the party went. Originally the Ravens mascot, Poe, was supposed to join us, but he sustained “an injury to his drumstick” in a pre-season halftime game with youth players and had to back out at the last minute. While we were disappointed, we had more than enough to keep the kids happy and engaged and that was the most important thing.
The question I get asked most often is “don’t you have a hard time cutting your cakes?” The answer is a simple NO! I’m usually so tired of my kitchen being taken over in the days and weeks leading up to these parties, that I’m almost gleeful being able to clean it up and get it out! It’s really all about the memories we’re making anyway!
Links
Photography - Jessica Fenfert Photography
Cookies - Sweetest Notes
Ravens Crest & Wood/Metal Sign - Beamish Metal Art
Food Truck - Jeno’s Steaks