Shad Planking Goes PC - Wakefield Ruritan Boots Confederate Heritage Group From Annual Event

The annual Shad Planking in Wakefield, Virginia was at one time the biggest political event in the Commonwealth. It offered citizens a chance to interact with candidates one on one and was an event that allowed all Virginians to have a voice. 

Scenes like this one in 2011, captured by the media were common place. 

In 2013, the Virginia Flaggers attended the event and were able to give some scalawag politicians a pretty good flagging, in spite of the entourage/bouncers they had with them... Apparently, this did not sit well with some of the establishment candidates.  When we returned the following year, new signs were in place... In spite of the new restrictions, our exhibitor booth enjoyed heavy traffic and great support.  We were told we were one of the most popular booths at the Shad Planking.  We exhausted our supply of stickers, flags, and cold drinks by the end of the day and had a great time chatting with citizens and politicians.  We participated as an exhibitor in 2014 and 2015 with great success and without any word from the Wakefield Ruritan of any problems or issues. We sat out 2016 due to scheduling issues, and were excited to return in 2017 and have the chance to get back to the event. Our application and payment for exhibitor space was mailed on March 13th, 2017.  On March 22nd, the Wakefield Ruritan notified us that our application had been rejected.  Our check was returned with a letter stating "the Wakefield Ruritan Club reserves the right to reject applicants", no other explanation, and instructions to contact Chris Simms, Festival Chairman if we had any questions. There was no reply to our email to Mr. Simms, asking for an explanation.   It is obvious that the Wakefield Ruritan is bowing to the pressure of the politically correct establishment and the liberal left.  In 2016 they hired a PR firm to help make the event more "welcoming" to all. http://www.dailypress.com/news/politics/dp-nws-shad-planking-preview-20160325-story.html Apparently, Southern Heritage does not fit the new image of the "Shads, Grapes, and Grain Festival".   From their website: Contact the Shad, Grapes and Grains Festival (804) 731-5236 info@shadplanking.com P.O. Box 148 Wakefield, VA 23888 www.shadplanking.com

Welcome to Virginia! Massive Confederate Flag Flies Again on I-95 in Fredericksburg

The Virginia Flaggers are pleased to announce that the I-95 Fredericksburg Memorial Battle Flag is flying high once again, with several new improvements.

Last month, the original rope broke and the task of getting a lift back to the site to make repairs turned out to be quite a challenge.  We were finally able to complete the work earlier this week, and a new 20x30 Battle Flag was raised Wednesday evening. Along with a new rope and flag, we were thrilled to place the first of our new flag pole toppers, a beautiful Confederate Cross of Honor.  It turned out even more stunning than we had invisioned and we hope to add them to all of our original and future sites in the coming months. In addition, we have started adding "tattoos" to our poles, marking the date of the dedication.   Many thanks to Rhett Ingram and the Stafford crew who assisted him in getting this one back up and flying, just in time to welcome spring break travelers to Confederate Virginia! This photo was sent in from a passer-by today... Finally, for your information, Our Guardians of the Flags were busy yesterday lowering our Highway Memorial Battle Flags across the Commonwealth, in preparation for severe storms expected over the next 24-48 hours. In an attempt to save wear and tear on the flags and poles, we make every effort to remove the flags ahead of high winds. The flags will return once the threat has passed and it is safe for our volunteers to raise them once again. As always, we wish to offer our most sincere thanks to all of those who help watch over, protect, and maintain our 25 flag sites in Virginia. God bless the Guardians of the Flags!

Rockbridge County TCO Board to Vote on "Appropriateness" of Confederate Flag Today

Since our last report, we have been very busy and have much to share, starting with recent developments in Lexington, Virginia. As you may recall, at the request of the landowner, we temporarily removed the 60 West Memorial Battle Flag pole and flag that was raised on Lee-Jackson Day earlier this year. Since then, we have filed a request for a "Certificate of Appropriateness" from the Rockbridge County Tourism Corridor Overlay Board.  Our application is on the agenda to be discussed and voted on by the board at its monthly meeting at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon. http://www.co.rockbridge.va.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04052017-401 We have also filed for a building permit for the same site, to reinstall the flag and pole once the certificate is issued. In the meantime, the fallout from the harassment by Rockbridge County has been swift and overwhelming.  We have applied for and received a building permit to double the size of the first flag site at Jackson's Farm on Rt. 60 East on the east size of Lexington.  What was a 50' pole will soon be 100'.   We also have several new interstate sites under development in Lexington, and this order of poles is complete and will be shipping soon...

Over a dozen landowners on Rt. 60 in Lexington have contacted us about having memorial battle flags placed on their property.  We are in the process of reaching out to each one and lining up the installations. Thanks, Rockbridge County. You effectively traded one flag (temporarily) for a whole mess of new ones. One day these people are going to learn to LEAVE US ALONE. As always, we appreciate your continued and generous support.  We have no intention of backing down. "Obstacles may retard, they cannot long prevent, the progress of a movement sanctified by its justice and sustained by a virtuous people." -- Jefferson Davis

Oakwood Cemetery (Richmond) Confederate Memorial Day Service Scheduled for May 13th

Confederate Memorial Day Service, Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia In 2014, the Virginia Flaggers revived a grand tradition of holding a Confederate Memorial Day Service at Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond. This year, we are once again holding a ceremony, and invite all to attend. We are excited to have Ronnie Roach, SCV Army of Northern Virginia Commander as our Keynote speaker, and the service will include a processional, music by Pipe Major David Hinton, a Confederate Color and Honor Guard, other special guests, and a wreath laying ceremony. Attendees in period attire wishing to participate in the processional through the cemetery, please arrive by 10:30 a.m. FREE to the public, free parking, handicapped parking is available and the service will be interpreted for the hearing impaired.  All are welcome. Email info@vaflaggers.com to bring greetings from your organization and/or lay a wreath. Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/400949256942194/ Photos from last year's service here:  https://www.facebook.com/JudyPSmithPhotography/photos/a.533489976776292.1073742481.186485551476738/533493546775935/?type=3&theater