PORTLAND, ME. (July 19, 2011) – During a special ceremony at the Maine Mall in Portland Wednesday at 10 a.m., Patriots representatives, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett and Patriots Cheerleaders, along with Maine BMV representatives, will officially announce the opening of preorders of state of Maine Patriots license plates as part of the Patriots Charitable Foundation's charitable license plate program.
At the ceremony, the public is invited to be one of the first to place a preorder and be part of the necessary 2,000 preorders needed to successfully bring the license plate law to the Maine legislature. The event will feature a Patriots plate unveiling ceremony and autographs with Patriots Cheerleaders from 10 to11 a.m. To celebrate the launch of preorders, the first 50 people to place an order at Wednesday's event will receive a Patriots Charitable Foundation commemorative mini-football.
"My family and the Patriots organization knows Maine is home to some of the best Patriots fans in the world," said Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft. "Every plate purchased will bring essential funds back to Maine nonprofits. We hope that fans across Maine show their support for their hometown team by helping us reach the necessary 2,000 preorders needed to bring Patriots plates to the great state of Maine."
Maine Patriots license plates cost $35 on top of regular registration fees, with $25 going to the state for start-up costs of producing the plate, and $10 going to the Patriots Charitable Foundation, earmarked for Maine nonprofits. The Maine license plate program marks the third Patriots license plate offered in the New England region, with existing programs in the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Once the plate is approved and in production, which may take up to a year, each of the 2,000 pre-sale registrants will receive a BMV voucher, which they can take to their municipal office or BMV branch to redeem for their plate. when . If the law is not successfully passed, refunds will be issued to each individual that placed a preorder. Vouchers will be mailed to the address provided when the order is placed, and vouchers are transferable. Vehicles must be under 10,000 pounds to be eligible.
To place an online order or for more information visit www.patriots.com/community. Wednesday's event will take place at Center Court in the Maine Mall located at 364 Maine Mall Rd. in South Portland.
