NEWRY – European and British motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to rev into town this weekend.

The fifth annual Western European Motorcycle Meet is to be held Friday through Sunday, July 23-25, at the Jordan Grand Hotel at Sunday River Ski Resort.

Organizer Mike Stackhouse of Mason Township, who will be riding his 1972 Ducati 450 Desmo, said Wednesday that more than 200 Euro-cycle bikers are expected.

The gathering is open to the public, even if they don’t own or ride European motorcycles, he said.

“We’re not elitists. We just do this for the fun of things and to raise money for Maine Handicapped Skiing,” he said.

More than $500 was raised last year at the meet’s Western Maine European and British Motorcycle Show.

Judging is done by people attending the event, who cast votes by stuffing money into a container on the bikes. The bike with the most money wins its class.

“Got a lot of money? Buy the vote! We encourage stuffing the vote in your favor, as the money goes to a wonderful organization,” Stackhouse said.

Dealers from Triumph, Ducati, BMW, MZ, Motoguzzi and Royal England are expected to be at the gathering with their motorcycles.

Socializing begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the Jordan Grand Hotel.

On Saturday, starting at 10 a.m., Catherine Rimm, director of Motorcycle Rider Education of Maine in Belfast, is to lead a women’s ride on her Triumph.

At noon, a “self-guided, leave anytime” adventure tour and a pre-1975 vintage tour are to depart.

Throughout the day Saturday, there will be self-guided tours of Dave Percival’s world-class BMW collection of about 70 bikes in Andover, the surrounding Maine-New Hampshire area, and Mount Washington. The day’s events will conclude with live entertainment at night.

The benefit show is to run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the hotel.

More information may be obtained by calling Stackhouse at 836-2208 or visiting www.eurobikemaine.org.