By JOHN KOZIOL

Staff Writer

LACONIA — A month and a day before the event officially begins, Gov. Craig Benson will proclaim Thursday as "Motorcycle Week Appreciation Day."

At 1:30 p.m. on the front steps of the New Hampshire Statehouse, Benson is expected to tout the economic benefits to the state and the Lakes Region of Bike Week, which this year takes place from June 7-15.

Among the points Benson will touch on is the estimated $200 million in visitor spending the event generates annually.

Scheduled to join the governor for the proclamation ceremony will be Laconia Mayor Mark Fraser; state Rep. Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, who chairs the House Transportation Committee; Greg Goddard, general manager of the Gunstock Recreation Area and president of the Greater Laconia-Weirs Beach Chamber of Commerce; and Charlie St. Clair, executive director of the Laconia Motorcycle Rally and Race Week Association.