POINT PLEASANT — Gov. Joe Manchin will pay a visit to the area this week.

Manchin is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the 63rd Annual Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner, which is slated for 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School commons area and Paul and Lillian Wedge Auditorium. Following the reception, which will be hosted by Farmers Bank and catered by K&L Catering, Manchin will speak.

Manchin is West Virginia’s 34th governor and is originally from the coal mining town of Farmington. After attending West Virginia University on a football scholarship, Manchin became a businessman. He was a state legislator from 1982-1996. He then served as secretary of state from 2000-2004. The office became known for excellent customer service, and its SHARES program promoted democracy to schoolchildren and registered 42,000 high school students to vote. Subsequently, the 2004 general election had the highest number of West Virginians voting since 1972.

According to Marsha Smith, chamber executive director, this will mark Manchin’s second time as the dinner’s keynote speaker. She said Manchin was chosen as the guest speaker because the chamber board wanted to promote tourism in West Virginia, which Manchin supports.

Terri Thomas, chamber board president, said the chamber is looking forward to Manchin’s speech.

“The entire Chamber of Commerce board were delighted that Gov. Manchin agreed to come speak,” she said.

The dinner will follow Manchin’s presentation. The theme of this year’s dinner is “Building for Your Future,” and West Virginia colors of blue and gold will be used for decorations in honor of Manchin serving as the keynote speaker. According to Smith, the theme was chosen by a chamber board member.

“We thought the theme would be a good idea because it ties together with education and our new schools, the new (U.S. 35) and tourism in Mason County, Smith said. “Everything tied together hopefully will bring more business and people to Mason County.”

First Impression Awards will be presented during the dinner as well. Awards include most attractive new sign, best landscaping, best community project, outstanding downtown revitalization, best new residential development, best new community development, best development, special consideration best public/private joint project and community service award. The Past Presidents Award also will be presented.

According to Smith, the First Impression Awards are given to honor businesses that help support the community to make it a better place to live and visit.

The dinner will be catered by Wellingtons of Poca, and the menu includes pork tenderloin, chicken cordon bleu, rolls, vegetables, homemade stuffing and various desserts.

Thomas described event response as going very well and said the dinner should have a good turnout.

“(The chamber board) is also very excited that we will be having the event at the school’s (auditorium and commons area),” she added.

Today is the last day to purchase tickets, and they must be purchased by noon at the chamber office on Main Street in Point Pleasant. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

For more information, call Smith at 304-675-1050.