Ripken Stadium may be best known for hosting the Baltimore Orioles minor-league affiliate Aberdeen Ironbirds, but the crack of the bat is not the only noise that is rocking the fans.
Since its opening in 2002, Ripken Stadium has concerts, company parties, weddings and events such as this weekend’s Harford Live!, a showcase with businesses and vendors from around the region.
As part of an effort to recoup some of the operating expenses and costs associated with building the multimillion-dollar Aberdeen baseball complex, Ripken Baseball, founded by Cal Ripken Jr. and his brother Bill Ripken, now frequently headlines major events and concerts.
“We host a myriad of events aside from the baseball games. We view Ripken Stadium as our client’s blank canvas. We’ll tailor an event to their needs,” said Jennifer Ludwig, Events Director for Ripken Baseball.
Ludwig said in the past, recording artists such as Jo Dee Messina, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Def Leppard and Bryan Adams have rocked the stands.
In the case of this weekend’s Harford Live! showcase, which Ludwig said is operated through a private organizer and held twice a year, anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 people walk through the stadiums gates.
“We would like to showcase what Aberdeen has to offer, and offer more events to the residents of Harford County,” Ludwig said. “Types of activities the whole family can enjoy.”
As to the price, Ludwig said it was difficult to nail down a fee for these types of events. “All of our packages are so different … we create packages that fit everyone’s needs.
I don’t necessarily want to attach a number to it, because the events are so different,” she said. Ludwig added that some packages are offered on a person basis or at group rates.
