WAKEFIELD -As the smell of smoked shad and beer wafted through the air, Sen. Chuck Robb (D) and former Gov. George Allen (R), political opponents in this November's senatorial race, stood side by side signing autographs and greeting supporters yesterday.
Every year politicians and citizens alike journey to Wakefield, Va., to attend the Shad Planking sponsored by the local Ruritan Club. The event, now in its 52nd year, serves shad, a fish found in Virginia's rivers that is prepared specially by basting it in hot sauce and cooking it on a wooden plank.
Politicians often use the Shad Planking event to speak with constituents and woo supporters. This year was no exception, with the competitive U.S. Senate race between Allen and Robb looming on the horizon this November.
As both candidates strolled among the booths, which served beer and shad raw - shad eggs - they spoke to Virginians about politics and the day's festivities.
"Shad planking is the most political nonpolitical event of the year," Robb said.
Allen was particularly excited about meeting many of the constituents who would be supporting him in the fall.
"This is where you meet people from all over Virginia," he said. "A hundred percent of these folks will vote, and that encourages me a great deal."
People from all over the Commonwealth travel to attend the Shad Planking and meet many of Virginia's political officials and candidates.
Rob Harrison, a native of Charlottesville, traveled to Wakefield to cook the famous shad. But Harrison said he felt one of the most important parts of the Shad Planking was talking to the different political officials.
"If you have a beef about something you can get up and talk to them face to face," Harrison said. "It's pretty interesting."
Keynote speaker Attorney General Mark Earley said many of the colorful stories about Virginia politics come to rest "here under the trees in Wakefield."
Earley praised the Shad Planking as a venue in which politicians can be relaxed and show constituents that they are real people who have no "personal animosity" for their fellow candidates.
"The true stars," Earley pointed out, "are nothing but a bony fish and the adult beverage of your choice."
Many other Virginia politicians such as Democrats Mark Warner and Jane Maddox made appearances at the Shad Planking to start building a base for their upcoming campaigns. Maddox plans to run in 2001 for the 25th district Senate seat presently held by Sen. Emily Couric (D-Charlottesville).
Analysts have said Mark Warner likely will run for the Virginia governorship in 2001.
Despite the large number of politicians that come to the event, many Virginians simply made the pilgrimage to Wakefield to enjoy the food and the camaraderie.
George Zuskin of Disputanta, Va., said he viewed the Shad Planking as the first of the many summertime events held in Wakefield.
"We are just having a good time," Zuskin said. "It's not only the fish, but I just like the atmosphere.
"I don't pay attention to [the politicians]," he said.
During the event, political officials honored the memory of state Sen. Richard J. Holland (D) who died Sunday at the age of 74. Holland was scheduled to speak at yesterday's Shad Planking.
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