With the harsh winter finally behind us, scooter enthusiasts have been polishing their bikes, checking the oil, and donning their riding gear for another fun summer. With all the excitement and growing popularity of scooter-riding as a fun and economical way to get around (can you say 100 mpg?) surely there must be somewhere for scooter fans to go and share their love of riding?

Come down to Enoteca Athena at 97 Maine Street in Brunswick for a rally fundraiser to raise money for the second annual Ski's Shrimp Run, which takes place in Topsham on July 26. The fundraiser will have VIP scooter parking, great food and beer for sale, and many raffle items to raise money for the run in July.

“We will have patches for sale for this year and a few from last year, maybe 20,” Jessica Sherlock said, one of the main organizers of the events. “Posters hand-signed by Ski will be for sale, and we'll have raffle items available. Mostly it's a great way for scooter fans to get together.”

Other organizers include three brothers, Chris, Andy and Keith Biedryszki. The event was named for their father, Ski, who jokingly suggested they should create a big scooting party. The boys through it was a great idea, and so did more than 100 scooter riders who showed up last year. They are hoping for close to 200 this year.

Last year, they ran into a major snag on the day of the event, and local Boothbay Harbor scooter dealer, Greg Singer of Mainely Scooters, saved the day.

“We needed a scooter for Ski,” Sherlock said. “We made an emergency run up to Mainely Scooters that day and were able to rent a scooter. Crisis averted.”

The group is looking to raise at least $200, so they can buy a large banner for Ski's Run, to go over Main Street in Topsham. Any extra raised will go towards promoting the event, which is free to attend.

Ski's Run is “basically a big party,” Sherlock said. Riders meet in the Sea Dog parking lot and head out for a group ride at noon. They head into Richmond for Richmond Days, and get a police escort into town right to the front of the party. Because there are so many different levels and styles of scooters, the slowest models (49cc) ride in the front to set the pace for the group.

“No scooter left out, no rider left behind,” Sherlock said. “We include everyone, all makes and models. Sure everyone loves a vintage Vespa, and my 2002 Honda Metropolitan you'd have to pry out of my cold, dead hands. But we aren't snobs. We love all scooters and all riders. Andy's wife rides a 1983 Honda Spree. I think she paid $300 for it, and it's adorable and she has fun. That is what matters”

The group encourages all scooter dealerships to come and represent their businesses at the run.

“Scooters aren't super noisy, and people love seeing us and waving,” Sherlock said. “A big group of motorcycles go past and it's like ‘oh man, plug your ears,’ but with scooters, it's different.”

Sherlock works at Tri-Sports in Brunswick, an authorized Vespa and Honda dealership. Sherlock has loved scooters ever since she spotted one when she was in her early 20s.

“I thought it was the most beautiful little vehicle I had ever seen,” Sherlock said. “I've been in love ever since. They are so adorable, and so efficient. You can't beat the mileage.

“And there's something different about scooting. It's fun, it's more lighthearted than motorcycle riding. There's just a different attitude from scooter people, and I enjoy it.”

For more information about Ski's Shrimp Run or the scooting community in Maine, visit www.shrimprun.com, check out the Facebook page www.facebook.com/shrimp.run, or email skisshrimpun@gmail.com.