The Wakefield Ruritan Club hosts this annual event which has evolved from quaint non-political origins into an over the top demonstration of political presence, even if not much more. The Shad Planking history is an evolution from backwoods, backroom maneuvering to an effort to prove campaign vibrancy through a display of yard sign prowess. Tim Kaine enhanced his legitimacy there four years ago. Jim Webb surprised naysayers through a wholly unexpected blanketing of the countryside accompanied by the appearance of a fancy fiddling bluegrass group that out-classed all other acts. And there is the boney fish with sides from the fabulous Virginia Diner (and don’t forget beer which has likely supplanted a more native brew).But, has the sign war outlived its impact? Senator Deeds has bowed out of the competition and will not attend the event this year. And with the forecast, each and every campaign must be weighing the sacrifice of thousands of signs to a one day flash on the plank. It almost begs the question!
This is not to diminish the event itself, a grand gathering of notables popular and ignominious, which has grown to embrace the previously disenfranchised. If you have never attended one, you are missing out on a tradition that has adapted to progress despite a tarnished legacy. And that that has happened says a lot about Virginia.
There is a carnival-like atmosphere to the phenomenon. The fish are planked under cover of out-structures up a hill from the rural road that provides access to the area. At this time of year there are budding leaves on the trees, but little other respite from the elements. There’s a platform with a podium, but little or no seating for listening to the speechifying. Each interest group claims a piece of territory as its own gathering spot and forms up to follow its candidate to the dais as they wait their turns. The food, minus the fish, is good. And even the fish with its meager meat is edible. There is generally good natured ribbing across the grounds.
Tomorrow’s Shad Planking, like all before it, will be a telling event. The beauty of it is that the telling will be in the eyes of every beholder.
Cross posted at Blue Commonwealth
