By Terry Karkos,Staff Writer

NEWRY – Mike Stackhouse is expecting a large crowd of European motorcycle enthusiasts and riders this weekend at Sunday River Ski Resort.

Stackhouse is the organizer of the 7th annual Western Maine European Motorcycle Meet, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 28, 29 and 30. It is open to anyone, or any motorcyclist, not just those with European cycles.

“It’s looking to be a good weekend, so, hopefully, we’ll do well,” Stackhouse said Thursday afternoon.

So far, more than 100 people have booked reservations for Saturday’s three-hour luau, which, he said, was a big hit last year.

“The Jordan Grand folks said they’ve been sold out on the rooms, so they’re sending people to the Grand Summit,” he said. Most events either originate from or are at the Jordan Grand Hotel off Sunday River Road.

Last year’s event attracted between 300 and 375 bikers, overall.

“I’m guessing we’ll be bigger than last year,” Stackhouse added.

Other events on Saturday include a Vintage Tour for pre-1975 motorcycles, several self-guided Adventure Tours through Western Maine and New Hampshire, and a tour of David Percival’s BMW collection in Andover.

A portion of the $32-per-person luau proceeds and $5 entry fee for the weekend, are to benefit both future events for the Western Maine European Motorcycle Enthusiasts and the National Marfan Foundation.

Marfan syndrome is a heritable disorder that affects many body systems, including the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels, nervous system, skin and lungs, according to the foundation’s Web site.

“It’s the disease John Ritter died of. It’s one of those diseases that people don’t know a whole lot about. A woman who used to be the concierge at the Jordan Grand found out her son had it, so, we decided to help out,” Stackhouse said.

“Last year, we raised $1,500 for it, and she broke down on the stage last year when we presented it to her,” he added.

Friday kicks off with a seven-hour, meet-and-greet session, sandwiched with a three-hour dinner buffet at the Jordan Grand.

Sunday culminates with food, prize giveaways and, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a European and British motorcycle show.

For more information, contact Stackhouse at 836-2208, mds@megalink.net, or visit www.eurobikemaine.org.

A complete schedule can be found on the Maine European Motorcycle Enthusiasts bulletin board Web site under the topic, 2006 WMEMcM Schedule, at http://www.eurobikemaine.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meme_events.

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