OWL’S HEAD, Maine — The third annual Motorcycle Torch Ride to benefit Special Olympics Maine will take ot the roads at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8,  in memory of Fred ‘Razor’ Merritt who died in February.

Riders will depart from the Owls Head Transportation Museum and travel Route 1 through Rockland and Camden to Belfast. In Belfast riders will stop briefly at the Reny’s parking lot to pick up a group of riders coming in from the north. Riders then will head out Route 3 to Texas Roadhouse in Augusta for a 45 minute break. Riders will take Route 17 back to the museum.

Residents of towns riders pass through are encouraged to wave and cheer for the riders and the special athletes who will ride on a bus provided by Schooner Bay Taxi of Rockland.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at the museum. Ride fee is $25 . Even if you don’t ride a motorcycle you can still take part by riding the bus. Or, to attend just the barbecue, auction and live entertainment, the cost is $10, $5 children under 10, $20 family.

Local Special Olympics athletes will attend the event. Entertainment  will be provided by local band Crossin’ Mason Dixon. Special guest Miss Maine Collegiate 2013 Callie MacQueston will visit for the day and the Darling’s Ice Cream for a Cause van will be there to raise money for Special Olympics athletes.

Lead sponsors of the event are Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster, Schooner Bay Taxi, Home Depot and KDK Apparel Printing and Embroidery.

For information about Torch Ride, visit email TorchRideMaine@gmail.com, or call 207-975-01713 or 207-975-0165.