BIDDEFORD, Maine (NEWS CENTER) – Saturday will mark the 24th time Maine high school football and cheerleader All-Stars take to the field in support of the Maine Shriners. The Shriners have put on the Maine Lobster Bowl each of the last 24 years to raise money and awareness for the 22 Shrine Hospitals for Children across the US, Canada and Mexico.

This year, the Lobster Bowl may have another hurdle to jump over…the weather. NEWS CENTER’s Keith Carson is calling for severe weather coming through the area around the time of the event. Gates open most of the day for other events and kickoff is slated for 4PM at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford. The Lobster Bowl Committee has asked everyone who plans on attending to look at some safety precautions they are putting in place for the worst case scenario.

The Committee says “In the event of severe weather, all Maine Principal Association Guidelines will be followed. Play shall not resume until 30 minutes after the last thunder/lightning. The Lobster Bowl is ready to take every possible steps to play the game on Saturday but not at the expense of the safety of players, cheerleaders, officials, coaches or spectators. Be prepared for the possibility of a long weather delay. The Lobster Bowl Board of Governors has every intention to get the game in on Saturday, even if it becomes a night game.” Additionally “in the event of severe weather, the following stadium protocols will take place:

1) All ENTRANCE to Gates will close immediately – no spectators will be allowed INTO the stadium if severe weather is in the area.

2) All spectators already in the stadium will be told to evacuate the stadium. Spectators will be allowed to return once the storm has passed. No one will be allowed to remain in or stand under the bleacher area. Fans are asked to return to their car and/or seek immediate shelter OUTSIDE THE CONFINES OF THE STADIUM. The shuttle service will continue to run during the severe weather which should assist fans in getting back to their car.

Once the decision to evacuate the stadium has been made, please follow @mainegames on Twitter or search the hashtag #lobsterbowl. Fans are also asked to look at the Lobster Bowl Facebook page for immediate information on when the game will resume.”

NEWS CENTER will be at the game as well, make sure to follow us on Twitter with live updates of our own at our feeds; @WCSH6Sports @WLBZ2Sports @melissaykim @JeffMaineSports.