Orioles announce plans for "Winter Warm-Up"

The Orioles have announced plans to hold their first "Winter Warm-Up" event on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Camden Yards.

This is one of the ideas intended to connect fans to the team, with others in the formative stages.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias, assistant Sig Mejdal and manager Brandon Hyde will participate in a "special conversation," per the team's press release. MASN's Rob Long will serve as emcee.

The Orioles describe the atmosphere as Eutaw Street and the surrounding areas being "transformed into a festive experience, inviting fans to celebrate the holiday season at Camden Yards."

The event will feature local vendors, businesses and food trucks, along with photo booths, ice sculpture demonstrations and holiday face painting.

If anyone is interested in doing some holiday shopping, the official team store will offer a 50 percent discount on all purchases during the event and the first 200 purchasers will receive an exclusive Orioles ornament. The Orioles Authentics Store will offer a 25 percent discount on all purchases.

Rather than pay an entry fee, fans are asked to donate $5 or contribute a winter coat to benefit individuals and families in need at Paul's Place, a local nonprofit organization that creates stability and self-sufficiency through various programs and services.

Birdland Members who renewed their season tickets for the 2020 season may attend for free and will be granted access to exclusive opportunities at the event that haven't been announced.

Complimentary parking will be available in Lot A. Fans can make their donation at the box office closest to Gate A and enter the event through that gate.

Also, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive an Orioles Sherpa Blanket, one of the more popular giveaways this season.

The "Winter Warm-Up" hasn't been created as a replacement for FanFest, which won't be held leading into the 2020 season. The Orioles are discussing new ways to engage with fans in the offseason and beyond.

Here's one of them.