CARRABASSET VALLEY — More than 250 lodge members and guests are expected to convene at the 83rd annual Maine Elks Association Convention at Sugarloaf USA on May 4-6.

The festivities begin Friday night with the presentation of individual lodge awards for various achievements including their service to youth programs, veterans, the Elks National Foundation — the fraternal organization’s major charity fund — and the MEA’s major project, the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

There will also be a special recognition and toast Friday night as the Elks celebrate having given $3 million dollars in donations to MCCP. The program, chaired for many years by Past State President Don Richard of the Rumford Lodge, was created to provide comprehensive services to Maine’s children with cancer and their families.

On Saturday morning, delegates from the 22 Maine lodges will elect new officers for the association during the business portion of the meeting. On Saturday night, the Youth Scholarship Winners, Americanism Essay Contest Winners and Drug Awareness Contest Winners will be presented, as well as this year’s check to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

Another major event at this year’s convention is the presentation of the Grand Lodge of Elks Enrique “Kiki” Camerena Award to Lt. Thomas Reagan of the Bangor Police Department. This award has been established to recognize and honor law enforcement officers who have made a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention. Reagan is the first Maine police officer to receive this prestigious honor. The Elks National Drug Awareness Director, Kent Gade, will make the presentation on Saturday, May 5.

More information about the Maine Elks Association can be found by visiting www.maineelks.org.