State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is kicking off his re-election campaign this evening. But the event is not going to evoke images of Old McDonald’s farm.

Tom Smith, the former CEO of the Food Lion grocery chain — and one-time star of his company’s TV ads — is hosting a $500-a-plate dinner on his farm outside Salisbury, Rob Christensen reports. About 300 people are expected to show up to enjoy beef brisket and pork roast.

The special guest at the event will be former NASCAR driver Richard Childress, a prosperous businessman who owns a vineyard and a cattle farm.

Troxler, a Republican, won a squeaker in 2004 over Democrat Britt Cobb.