WOODLAND – Shrimp Feast is near.

With that in mind, Woodland Mayor Jay Jenkins and the town board took time to recognize their town’s most popular event Thursday night.

During Thursday night’s meeting of the Woodland Board of Commissioners, Jenkins signed a proclamation making July 9-15 Shrimp Feast Week in the town and designating July 15 as Shrimp Feast Day.

In part, the proclamation said, “Whereas, this annual event plays a vital role in bringing guests from other communities to our town, and

“Whereas the Woodland Volunteer Fire Department depends greatly on donations from fundraisers to operate, and

“Whereas each member of the Woodland Volunteer Fire Department is being asked to take time away from their families to help prepare for the Annual Shrimp Feast during the week leading up to the third Saturday of each July, and

“Whereas it is essential that all citizens of Woodland be aware of the importance of our Volunteer Fire Department and their various projects to raise the necessary funding needed yearly,

“Now, therefore, I, Mayor Jay Jenkins, and the Woodland Town Board of Commissioners do hereby call upon all citizens in our area to be aware of this annual event known as the Woodland Volunteer Fire Department’s Shrimp Feast held the third Saturday of July with this year’s event being held July 15, 2006 and representing the 21st annual Shrimp Feast.

“Further, let it be resolved that I, mayor Jay Jenkins, and the Woodland Town Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim the week leading up to the third Saturday in July as Shrimp Feast Week and the third Saturday of each July as Shrimp Feast Day as we encourage others to pay tribute to our volunteer firefighters.”

Commissioner Joe Blythe made the motion to approve the proclamation with Commissioner David Cooper offering a second. It passed by a unanimous vote.

This year’s event will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 15 and go through 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are currently on sale for $20 and can be purchased from any member of the Woodland Volunteer Fire Department and several local businesses.