WAKEFIELD—Former Virginia Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Allen will be the speaker for the 64th annual Shad Planking at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the Wakefield Ruritan Club.

Allen has served Virginia for more than 20 years, also as a U.S. representative and state delegate.

Hosted by the Wakefield Ruritan Club, the Shad Planking is an annual event known for drawing politically minded people as well as those wishing to seek public office in the state. The Shad Planking committee and Wakefield Ruritan Club does not endorse candidates, but provides an informal setting for attendees to meet with them and discuss political issues.

Shad Planking has come to be known as Virginia’s premier political event and has received national attention through the media.

The formal program will begin at 4. The meal will be served when ready. The menu will include planked shad cooked over an open fire. The Virginia Diner will provide coleslaw and corn muffins. In addition, there will be fried shad roe and fish filets, sweet pickles and iced tea.

Shad Planking traces its origin to the early 1930s when a group of friends gathered at Wrenn’s Mill in Isle Of Wight County during the spring running of the shad in the James River. They planked the shad after the tradition of native Virginia Indians and talked politics.

The Wakefield Ruritan Club assumed sponsorship of the event in 1949. Generations of Virginia politicians have attended and addressed the Shad Planking gathering.

The Ruritan Club donates proceeds to organizations such as Wakefield Youth Baseball League, fire departments and rescue squads.

Tickets are available through the Virginia Diner by calling 1-800-935-4004 or the Ruritan Club by mail at P.O. Box 148, Wakefield, Va., 23888. Credit cards are accepted at the diner and on the Shad Planking website at www.shadplanking.com. Tickets are $25 in advance.

For further information, contact Robert Bain at 757-641-8060 or Robert@shadplanking.com.