BREWER – The Maine Games kicks off with its first event of the year Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26, at the Brewer Auditorium.

Powerlifting is the main attraction for the second year with more than 100 of Maine’s strongest men, women and teens competing for Maine Games gold, silver and bronze medals. They also will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2007 State Games of America to be held Aug. 2-5 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Athletes are offered the opportunity to compete in the full meet – squat, bench press and dead lift – or the bench press only. They also may compete in two divisions, a subdivision on Saturday, and the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions on Sunday.

Last year nearly 60 athletes lifted, and more than two dozen state records were set. These included records in all three lifts by Benita Deschaine of Bangor, who began powerlifting only weeks before the 2005 meet. Her daughter, Becca, earned both a gold and a silver medal.

Thirteen-year-old Josh Gallison of Sebec earned a gold medal in the youth 132-pound division, lifting a combined total of 755 pounds.

This year’s meet will establish countless state records and for the first time, team totals will be kept and a Maine gym will win the team championship.

Sponsors for the event include the city of Brewer, Union Street Athletics in Bangor, Commercial Screen Print and Embroidery, Bay View Physical Therapy and the Best Western White House Inn in Bangor, the host hotel for the event.

Registration for powerlifting closes March 15 and registrations must be postmarked by that date. For online registration or to download a registration form, visit www.mainegames.org/id3.htm.