The Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers Association will auction off twelve shad sculptures at the Mad about Shad Auction and Gala to be held April 16 from 7:30-10 pm at the Aylett Fire House. For the past year, the fish sculptures have been displayed at the West Point and King William Public Libraries, schools, local banks and businesses. Currently the fish can be seen at Haynes and Miller Outdoors, Union Bank and Trust in Manquin, the new Southside Bank in King William, Whitmore Chevrolet in West Point, Twin Rivers Realty, the USDA Agricultural Service Center in Tappahannock, Aylett Animal Hospital, and King William Tire and Exxon. 

Tickets to the gala event are available by emailing mprastaff@yahoo.com or by calling Joyce Brooks at 769-1667. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 a couple prior to the event. Tickets will be available at the door for $20 each. The event includes music, food and beverages as well as the auction.

Click here for a Mad about Shad Gala brochure in pdf format. 

Proxy bidding for shad sculptures online

If you cannot attend the Mad about Shad Auction & Gala in person, but would like to make a bid by proxy. Here's how:
1. Choose the fish you'd like to bid on and note the name and artist. Click here to view the fish.
2. Decide how much you're willing to bid.
3. Email the name of the fish, artist and your top bid, address and phone number to dshank51@msn.com 

During the gala, a designated member will bid for you up to the amount you specified in your email. Bids will open at $50 and increase in $10-$25 increments by the auctioneer. Your proxy will bid up to the amount you specified. You will be contacted after the auction if you are the successful bidder. Contributions are tax deductible. We will issue you a receipt upon payment and will arrange with you to pick up or deliver your fish at that time. It is the winning bidders responsibility to pick up your winning fish, but MPRA volunteers are willing to work with you on delivery of your sculpture.