BRUNSWICK — Thousands are expected to flood into Brunswick over Father’s Day Weekend this year, making for a potential boon for local businesses but with an unknown impact on traffic.

Two thousand bicyclists and spectators will likely head into town for the annual Trek Across Maine June 14-16, and thousands more for the Coastal Summer Challenge soccer tournament June 15-16.

While still months away, officials from the town and Trek Across Maine are already putting their heads together to try to ensure the weekend — and the traffic — run as smoothly as possible, representatives said at a forum Wednesday evening.

The Trek Across Maine is the American Lung Association’s largest fundraiser and brings in about $1.5 million each year. This year, for the first time, the 180-mile bike ride will start and end in Brunswick taking riders on a loop through Augusta, Auburn, Bath, Belgrade, Freeport and Lewiston with overnight stops at Bates College in Lewiston and Colby College in Waterville.

“We are thrilled to get a chance to showcase what we think is a great community,” Brunswick Town Manager John Eldridge said, adding that he hopes people will explore local shops, restaurants and hotels while they are in town.

The ride will start at Brunswick Landing, the former Naval base, where there will be plenty of on-site parking. Riders will depart via Route 24 South, take Mountain Road and head toward Harpswell. No roads in town will be closed, and the route will not take riders through downtown. Police will be patrolling along the route.

Traffic will probably be busiest on Sunday,  according to patrol commander Tom Garrepy, with the soccer tournament players on the field until dark. Riders will come back into Brunswick via the Androscoggin Bike Path, which also has a soccer field that will be in use. At this point (and at all others) Garrepy suggested that bikers travel single file to minimize traffic impact and asked that riders listen to the instructions of officers.

“It’s not a race, it’s a charity ride,” he said, “we need to enjoy that” and take it easy.

A turn-by-turn itinerary will be given to all riders.

As this is the first year the ride has ever come to Brunswick, Garrepy said he has no idea how it will impact local traffic. Historically, most riders have come into town the Thursday before the race. Trek personnel are encouraging people to consider camping at Thomas Point Beach or checking into one of the local hotels, some of which may be offering block Trek rates. This year there will not be a spot for people to keep their bikes on-site overnight, according to Kim Chamard, trek development manager. Since Brunswick is in a “great centralized location” they are also anticipating that more riders will arrive the day of the ride.

It takes approximately 750 volunteers to run the event each year, and Auclair said they are still looking for Brunswick-based volunteers.

Registration to ride is open until May 20.

Coinciding with Trek Across Maine will be the Coastal Summer Challenge, a three-division youth soccer tournament for boys and girls. Now in its 33rd year, the tournament will take place at Bowdoin College and the surrounding fields, according to the event’s website. The event is organized by Seacoast United Soccer Club.

hlaclaire@timesrecord.com

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