Calendar of Events

TOGETHER WE STAND MCHENRY COUNTY - COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

Hosted by Dee Darling, candidate for McHenry County Board, district 1.

WHEN:  Saturday, July 25th, 2026 - 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
WHERE:  Algonquin Township, 3702 Northwest Highway (US-14), Crystal Lake. 
(The township is on the north side of the Route 14, and you can only enter from the northbound direction.  The closest place to turn north is at Three Oaks Road.)

Donate blood, save lives.  One pint can save up to three lives.  Because of an ongoing need in our area for platelets and blood there is an increased need for donors. Please go online or scan the QR Code to schedule your appointment. Every drop counts.Your simple act of kindness can make a world of difference.

Dee's previous blood drive, in May 2026, was so successful, she's doing it again.  Our job is to ensure that the word goes out and that we stand together.  Saving lives is an American tradition.

Click here to reserve your spot.

Visit Dee Darling at vote4darling.com or on Facebook.

For more information contact Regina Rakoncay at [email protected]

CANVASSING WITH AUSTIN MAY FOR MCHENRY COUNTY BOARD

WHEN:  Sunday, July 26th, 2026 -- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
WHERE:  Meet at Veterans Memorial Park, 3400 Pearl Street, in downtown McHenry

The awesome Austin May is our Democratic candidate for county board in district 5, where his expertise and integrity as a career Army officer are sorely needed.  Join him for an enjoyable afternoon talking with constituents.  Come out to the park to get trained and prepped by Austin, then head out for a productive, community-building afternoon of door canvassing!

Here's the event on Facebook.

Visit Austin at abetterwaymc.com, or contact him at [email protected] or 443-732-5177.

AN EDUCATOR'S FORUM WITH DR. BELCASTRO

WHEN:  Monday, July 27th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Woodstock Opera House -- Community Room -- 121 West Van Buren Street -- on the Square

Dr. Bridget Belcastro is our most awesome Democratic candidate for McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools.  Bridget writes about this upcoming forum:

"A conversation for educators with educators!  Join Dr. Bridget Belcastro for a conversation about our shared future in education. As a fellow educator, I deeply value your perspective. I am eager to listen to your experiences, answer your direct questions, and discuss how the ROE can be a proactive partner in your vital work.

"My goal is simple: to connect, to understand your challenges, and to hear your ideas. Leadership should be grounded in reality! I hope to see you there! Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.  Please RSVP.  Bring friends!"

Visit Bridget at bridgetbelcastro.com or on Facebook, and contact her at [email protected] or 815-669-0362.

DISTRICT 9 DEMOCRATIC ROUNDTABLE
Crafted especially for Democratic Voters in Coral, Riley & Grafton Townships

WHEN:  Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Pub 47, Back Room (to the right), 10400 Illinois Route 47, Huntley

Have you heard about the fun and informative Round Table Meetings?  They’re held at local pubs, offering yummy drinks and food for purchase, lively conversation, and a room full of like minded Democrats.  These gatherings are packed with invigorating discussions and a great chance to connect.  Join us as we work together and enjoy sharing ideas for getting Democrats elected all the way down the ballot.  Conveniently located right here in Huntley!

Wear purple to show your support for our D9 candidate County Board, CHRISTINE HAMM.

Info or to get involved?  Contact Lynn Mitchell at [email protected].

Calling all Democrats! It's that time again - join us at the Fair!

Tuesday August 4th through Sunday August 9th
Volunteers Needed

There's always plenty of fun to be had at our annual extravaganza, the McHenry County Fair, at the fairgrounds in Woodstock.  And there's no better way to have that fun than volunteering for a shift at our Democratic Party booth.  We need at least two and preferably three people for each shift.  We pay for your admission so it's a great way to combine seeing the fair and doing something highly worthwhile.

Setup is on Monday, August 3rd. The fair opens at noon on Tuesday, August 4th.  Opening time on every day thereafter is 10am.  Closing time is 9pm Tuesday through Thursday, 10pm on Saturday and Sunday, and then 8pm on the final day.

Please RSVP and choose your shift.  Tuesday's first shift starts an hour before opening time to allow for last-minute setup, and Sunday's last shift allows an hour after closing for teardown.  If you have any questions at all please contact us at [email protected].

The fairgrounds are at 11900 Country Club Road, on the north side, slightly east of South Eastwood Drive (Route 47).  It can be crowded so please allow half an hour for parking, getting into the fair and then finding us.  We are in building D this year. It's on the south side of the fairgrounds, backing up to Country Club Rd. 

It's really important that we have a good turnout this year.  Many of our most dedicated Democrats found us for the first time at the fair.  And even if you can't volunteer, please plan on dropping by and hanging with us.  Thanks so much and see you there!

It's our Summer 'Campaign Kickoff' Picnic

WHEN:  Saturday, August 15th, 2026 -- Noon to 3:00 pm
WHERE:  Veterans Acres Park -- Jaycee Shelter -- 431 Walkup Road, Crystal Lake

Get inspired, mingle with our candidates and fellow party members, and have some food and fun as we begin the 2026 petition passing season! Pick up candidate petition packages, literature & signs. The Party will provide lunch and beverages, but donations would be much appreciated.

We reserved the VA/JAYCEE shelter, which features easy parking, restrooms, and a playground nearby.

Plus, we're going to be having a "50-50" fundraising raffle.  Come on out, buy some tickets, and help us raise funds to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.

It's likely to be hot so please bring your filled water bottle to stay hydrated, as well as kind to our environment. :)

RSVP REQUIRED - please let us know you are coming so we have enough lunches for everyone!

It's that time again, the 2026 edition of the awesome County Chairs Brunch, put on by the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA), held in Springfield every year to coincide with Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair.  Come on down for this inspiring gathering of Illinois Democrats.  All of our IL Democratic candidates and officeholders will be there, plus some inspiring keynote speakers.   

It's on Wednesday August 19th, 2026, starting at 9:00 am at the Bank of Springfield Center (1 Convention Center Plaza, aka 524 South Second Street).  After the program head on over to the Governor's Compound at the Illinois State Fair and be inspired by our Illinois Democratic leaders, starting with our governor, the amazing J.B. Pritzker himself.

If interested, contact [email protected] for more details on how to get tickets and discounted accommodations.

Democratic Party of McHenry County at the 2026 Sunset Parade

The Lake In The Hills Summer Sunset Festival is always fun, and there's no better way to celebrate it than by joining us in the Summer Sunset Parade, stepping off at 11:00am on Saturday September 5th from Sunset Skate Park. 

We'll know our number in the parade closer to the date.  The skate park is on Haligus where it's curving around, south of the Bark Park, and Google has the address as 5200 Miller Road. 

Our float will be arriving at the Skate Park between 9:30 and 10am.  Come at that time if you want to help decorate the float.  Otherwise please plan to arrive no later than 10:30 -- this parade steps off right on time.

The route takes us east and north on Haligus, then east and south on Miller, ending at Sunset Park.

Please join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 16th, 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.)

Map of MCC

Please join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 21st, 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.)

Map of MCC