By: Jon Sham

As if Baltimoreans needed a reminder to support their Ravens as they head into the playoffs, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake issued a statement Wednesday urging residents to “Light the city purple.”

On Tuesday, members of the Ravens own painting crew sprayed giant images of the team logo on Federal Hill and at War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall. (The mayor was not able to make it to the logo painting events Tuesday, as she was last year.)

“I want to first congratulate Coach Harbaugh, the players, and the entire Ravens organization for their fourth consecutive trip to the postseason,” the mayor said in a statement. “A home playoff game is going to be great for Baltimore.”

Purple light fixtures are being installed on city buildings by the Department of General Services, according to the statement. (Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced later Wednesday the dome of the Old Courthouse in Towson will be turned purple Friday.)

The painting crew will also do its midnight stenciling next week, said Heather Harness, advertising and marketing manager for the Ravens.

“Hotels, bars, and restaurants in the city will benefit from the thousands of fans coming out to watch the game together,” said Rawlings-Blake.  “I look forward to joining thousands of fellow Ravens fans as we light this great city purple. Go Ravens!”

The Ravens have not had a home playoff game since after the 2006 season.

Watch the video from Tuesday’s giant logo stenciling at city hall

http://www.vimeo.com/34529204