Summer time is winding down and that means the Suffolk Ruritans are gearing up for their 25th Annual Shrimp Feast.

This event is the biggest annual party each year in this city, and those who plan to attend should purchase tickets early. For those who love scrumptious shrimp, succulently cooked barbecue, and fabulous fried chicken, the Ruritans are again serving up all you can eat at their &uot;Silver Anniversary Shrimp Feast.&uot;

Signs for Shrimp Feast tickets dot the landscape around Suffolk, appearing in front of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce-Suffolk division on W. Washington St., Roy & Ricky’s Restaurant on Holland Road, Suffolk Temporaries on North Main Street, and Sentry Marks across the city. AAMCO Transmissions also sells tickets. Follow the News-Herald for further listings around town.

&uot;We have been working hard all year and again, we expect about 5,000 people to attend Shrimp Feast,&uot; said D. Sean Horan, president of the Suffolk Ruritans this year. &uot;We’ve got 5,000 tickets, and if the past is an indicator they will be sold out before we open the gates on Shrimp Feast.

&uot;Again this year, the ticket price remains at $25 per person, a bargain considering the quality of all the shrimp, barbecue and fried chicken and beverages available and of course, it’s all you can eat.&uot;

Horan added that Johnny Leggett, a member of the Suffolk Ruritans, is negotiating again this year for the jumbo-sized shrimp the public seems to love so much. Those succulent delights will again be specially seasoned and served up by Suffolk Sheriff Raleigh H. Isaacs Sr., and his team of fellow Ruritans. Isaacs has been preparing the savory shrimp for many years and is renowned for his abilities as a chef.

&uot;We want everyone to come out to enjoy these specialties and all the trimmings and there will be beverages of all kinds including iced tea, cold beer, and stronger libations for those who would like them,&uot; said Horan.

Horan, like all the Suffolk Ruritans, has been working hard with the entertainment committee to provide a party that everyone will enjoy.

&uot;We have lined up three bands, `Wooden Nickel,’ ‘Fat Ammon’s Band,’ and `’Island Boy’ is returning because of their popularity with fans at Shrimp Feast,&uot; he said. &uot;Wooden Nickel never fails to provide the best in country music and `Fat Ammon’s’ does the best in rock and roll and of course, ‘Island Boy’ provides us with great beach music. We think we have something for everyone in the way of entertainment.&uot;

As Horan noted, proceeds from the Shrimp Feast are used each year to provide funding for many organizations including Sickle Cell Anemia, Red Cross, Boy and Girl Scouts, scholarships for students, the local volunteer rescue squads, YMCA, Salvation Army and many other community services.

&uot;Each year, Suffolk Ruritans gives away more than $50,000 in funding,&uot; said Horan. &uot;We believe in Suffolk and it’s many deserving people and agencies and this is our way of giving back.&uot;

Those attending the Shrimp Feast will again see plenty of security on the site. A.P. Bremer of Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office has called in deputies from the Suffolk Sheriff’s Department and surrounding communities.

Law enforcement will be on hand to ensure everyone’s safety and good times. Festivities for Shrimp Feast begin at 3 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. Participants at Shrimp Feast can then move from that site over to Peanut Fest, which begins that same afternoon.