SACO — The 2017 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic, sponsored by the Kopa Shriners, is set to kick off on Saturday, July 15th at 4 p.m. at Thornton Academy’s Dr. Paul S. Hill Stadium.

This is the first time since 1990 that the Lobster Bowl will take place at TA. Since 1992, the Lobster Bowl has been held at Biddeford’s Waterhouse Field, which was closed in April due to unsafe bleacher conditions.

TA, The Shriners and the surrounding communities have been hard at work preparing. Here are a few updates regarding this year’s Lobster Bowl.

TA will be offering onsite parking, with 508 numbered spaces as well as an athletic field that will be opened for additional parking. Saco Middle School will also be offering parking, and TA will be using a shuttle system to transfer fans from Saco Middle to TA. The shuttle service will be running in the three hours prior to the event.

The estimated attendance sits in the range of 4,000-5,000, based on previous years. There will be bleacher space available as well as designated standing areas throughout the complex.

There will also be a parade from Biddeford to Saco that begins at noon, as well as a walk with the Shriners. The Wounded Warrior Project will also host a ride at Route 1 in Scarborough heading south.

The Lobster Bowl raises money for Shrine Hospitals throughout the area, and has generated over half a million dollars since it’s start almost three decades ago.

Be sure to follow the Journal Tribune for coverage of the Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic, including updates prior to the event. The local public works departments as well as law enforcement officials, along with TA and the Shriners look forward to making the 2017 Lobster Bowl one to remember.

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