Calendar of Events
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Fundraisers & Campaign Events Grassroots Action / Parades Meetings & SocialsThanks for visiting our events page!
If you've never taken the plunge to get involved in political action, we encourage you to get to know us by attending a meeting. We are a growing local party, but we need more people like you to step up and share your perspective. We are building teams of people to tackle projects like data entry and analytics, voter registration, special events, social media and content management, and candidate support and canvassing.
Coordinated Campaign Weekend of Action
COORDINATED CAMPAIGN WEEKEND OF ACTION
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, June 6th & 7th, 2026 - starting as early as 10:00 am on Saturday, and 1:00 pm on Sunday
WHERE: DPMC Office, 682 South Eastwood Drive, Woodstock
It's the official start of the 2026 campaign season, leading up to the November 3rd, 2026 general election.
Please join our great candidates, and Democrats throughout Illinois, as we get out there to knock on doors. "This is what democracy looks like," goes the saying -- talking to our neighbors, learning about their concerns, and letting them know about our great candidates.
We'll take as much of the weekend as you can spare ... even two hours is worthwhile ! We'll be starting from our Democratic Party office in Woodstock and from other locations around the county.
Please RSVP so we know to expect you. For more information please reach out to Ed Gogol, [email protected] or 815-596-0892.
Harvard Milk Days Parade
Parade with us at the 2026 Harvard Milk Days!
WHEN: Saturday, June 6th, 2026 -- stepoff at 1:00 pm
WHERE: Look for our float in the parking lot of Harvard High School, at 1103 North Jefferson Street.
We'll be there by 11:00am. Come early and help us set up.
For your convenience, we're laying on a shuttle so you can park near the parade end.
Anytime between 11:00am and 12:15pm (last run leaves 12:15 sharp) ...
Park at Milky Way Park, 300 Lawrence Road, as close to the east side as you can.
Look for our Democratic sign and red van by the east entrance to the park, by Ratzlaff St & W Washington St.
Here's the parade route (and here it is as a printable PDF or a full-size JPG.)
Maria Peterson at the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade
Walk with Maria Peterson at the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade
WHEN: Sunday, June 7th, 2026 -- 11:00 am stepoff (please arrive by 9:30)
WHERE: Corner of LaSalle Lane and Lyon Drive, Buffalo Grove
The awesome Maria Peterson is going to flip the 52nd state rep district from red to blue this November.
Please join Maria and the District 52 campaign team at the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade! Come march with us and show that District 52 stands with the LGBTQ+ community, loud and proud. This is a fun, high-energy event and a chance to connect with neighbors, show our campaign's values, and celebrate together. All are welcome, bring your friends, your family, and your enthusiasm. Just show up ready to have a good time!
Visit Maria Peterson at mariafor52.com or on Facebook, and/or donate to her campaign here.
Questions: Please reach out to Matt Palubin at [email protected] or 708-990-2726.
Celebrating Diversity With Amin Karim & Friends
Celebrating Diversity With Amin Karim & Friends
WHEN: Monday, June 8th, 2026 -- 5:00 to 8:00 pm
WHERE: Woodstock Opera House, 121 East Van Buren Street, on the Woodstock Square
Amin Karim invites you to join him for a special evening featuring Gloria Van Hof, the first Black woman elected to the McHenry County Board in its 186-year history, as she shares her perspective on diversity, leadership, and community engagement.
You'll also have the opportunity to meet:
- Pat Shea, candidate for McHenry County Board District 7
- Dr. Bridget Belcastro, candidate for McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools
- Karen Battaglia, candidate for Illinois State Senate District 32
Come meet the candidates, hear their vision for our community, and be part of the conversation about the future of McHenry County and Illinois.
Visit Amin at aminkarim.com or on Facebook.
For more information: [email protected]
Districts 8 & 9 Hot Dog Picnic
HOT DOG PICNIC FOR DISTRICT 8 & 9 DEMOCRATS
Celebrate our community and join us at Districts 8 & 9's Fifth Annual Hot Dog Picnic.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 - 5:30 until sunset (whatever the weather)
WHERE: Marengo Ridge Conservation Area - Shelter #2 - 2411 Illinois Route 23
A celebration for our neighbors who share our love of democracy, free speech and the Constitution.This is the time to feel the warmth and friendship that we have developed these past few years. Settle in and enjoy the company while we watch the sun set over the Kishwaukee River Valley. It will be a magical time.
Many of our awesome candidates will be attending, and our featured speaker will be Bill McNeese, our Democratic candidate for county clerk.
We'll have hot dogs (both beef and veggie) with buns and all the fixins to make a Chicago dog: ketchup, mustard, pickle & relish, bag of chips, ice cream cup, water. Come hungry!
$10 donation per person requested at the door.
Please RSVP by June 6th -- RSVP is important so we know to expect you.
Here's the flyer for the event.
For more information contact Pat Lawlor at [email protected] or Lynn Mitchell at [email protected].
Woodstock Pride 2026
If there's one shindig we McHenry Democrats never miss, it's Woodstock Pride. Join us as we celebrate love and diversity.
WHEN: Sunday June 14th, 2026 -- The parade steps off at 11:00 am.
WHERE: The parade assembly point is usually at the Dean Street Elementary School, at the corner of Dean Street and Forest Avenue, a few blocks south of Woodstock Square.
The parade goes north, up to and around the square, and then the festivities follow.
Please RSVP -- march with us and/or with your favorite candidate! And we also need help with setup for our float and at the square. Choose from:
- 9am to 11am -- setup of our booth in the Square
- 11am to 1pm -- first shift
- 1pm to 3pm -- second shift
- 3pm to 5:30 -- last shift and teardown
Thanks so much. Questions? please reach out to [email protected].
Let Freedom Ring - Paul Nolley for Congress Flag Day Fundraiser
Hosted by Lisa Haderlein
WHEN: Sunday, June 14th, 2026 - 3:00 to 5:00 pm
WHERE: Harvard, Illinois -- Address provided upon RSVP
For more information: [email protected]
Visit Paul at nolleyforcongress.com or on Facebook.
Central Committee Meeting - June 2026
Please join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, at the "Conference Center" at McHenry County College!
It's the regular monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of McHenry County. RSVP'ing beforehand is a MUST.
Join us! Community is how we will persevere and triumph.
Agenda
- 7:00 p.m. — Doors open
- 7:15 p.m. — Meeting begins
- Introductions
- Candidate Introductions
- Chair's Message
- Reports - Officers/Committees/Districts
- Events
- Communications
- Tech Chair
- District Chair Reports
- Announcements -
- The purpose is to announce events, presentations, and items of interest to Democrats If you have an idea for a speaker or broader discussion, you must request an addition to the agenda a week before the meeting. Please limit your announcements to 2 minutes.
- 8:30 p.m. — Adjourn
Invite a friend to attend the meeting! Introduce a friend or neighbor to grassroots politics and help us grow the Party.
McHenry County College is located on Route 14, halfway between Woodstock and Crystal Lake.
Turn in at the traffic light, then turn right and right again to park near the entrance for Building A, the very first building you come to. Enter the building, walk straight ahead, and you'll find the Conference Center on the left, opposite the library. There's no stairs and everything is fully ADA-compliant.
Come early and chat, we're always there by 6:30. Here's a map of MCC. (If you accidentally parked on the south side, by the Luecht Auditorium or the cafeteria, no matter, just walk around to the left past the gym, up the stairs at the end, turn right and we're there.)
Michele Clark's Campaign Kickoff Event
MICHELE CLARK FOR STATE SENATE - DISTRICT 33
CAMPAIGN KICKOFF EVENT
WHEN: Thursday, June 18th, 2026 -- 5:00 to 7:00 pm
WHERE: Michele's new campaign office, 611 East Main Street, East Dundee
Help us open Michele Clark's new campaign office and kickoff her campaign for Illinois Senate Senate in the 33rd district. Join us for light refreshments and hear how you can get involved!
Visit Michele at micheleforilsenate.com, follow her on Facebook or Instagram, or contact her at [email protected].
For more information please contact Isabella Devens at [email protected].
NOW's Juneteenth Celebration
WHEN: Thursday, June 18th, 2026 - 5:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE: Cary Area Public Library, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary
It's NOW's third year celebrating the power of Juneteenth. Please join the McHenry County chapter (mchenryconow.org) of the National Organization for Women (now.org) for a meaningful celebration of Juneteenth as we honor the legacy of freedom, resilience, and triumph while empowering the next generation of leaders and change makers. It will be free and include a documentary film, discussion and a Taste of Juneteenth.
For more information please contact Regina Rakoncay at [email protected].