Calendar of Events

DEMOCRACY STARTS AT THE DOOR

Featuring two awesome candidates -- Chris Stevens, Democrat for County Board District 8, and Sarah Mertens, Democrat for State Senate District 35.

It's a Day of Action in Hebron, and it's great fun.  Join us as we knock on doors to meet our voters.  No experience necessary; we will train.

WHEN:  Saturday September 5th, 2026 -- 9:00 am to noon
WHERE:  Meet at Hebron Community Park Pavilion, 12314 Price Road, Hebron

Visit Chris Stevens at christystevens.com or on Facebook.
Visit Sarah Mertens at citizensforsarahmertens.com or on Facebook.

Please RSVP so we know you're coming.

For more information, please reach out to Pat Lawlor at [email protected].

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 are number 21 in the parade.  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.  Parade organizers have announced that "Parking this year will be limited to Sunset Park, with shuttles available to transport participants to the line up area.  There will be signs posted to help direct you."

DISTRICTS 8 & 9 DEMOCRATIC ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION - MARENGO

Crafted especially for Democratic Voters in Marengo, Seneca, Coral, Riley and Grafton Townships.

WHEN:  Tuesday, September 8th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Joe's Place, 19716 East Grant Highway, Marengo

We're in the Upstairs Room.  Please walk straight ahead to the order counter to order drink or food, then go back out to the lobby and take the stairs or elevator upstairs.

The most awesome Dr. Bridget Belcastro will be joining us.  Dr. Belcastro is our Democratic candidate for McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools.

We have many great Democratic candidates.  They're all there at mchenrydems.org/candidates.  Let's put our heads together to see where we can each volunteer to make a difference and FLIP McHenry County BLUE.

Become a Board Watcher for all the local boards so we become aware of the issues and who is making decisions. Because of the death of local journalism, this is a necessary position to keep our democracy.

Bring a bag of non-chocolate candy for our summer parades.  It's a McHenry County tradition to hand out candy to the kiddies, and we're marching in a whole bunch of parades this year.  Thank you!

Bring a friend.  For more information please reach out to Pat Lawlor, District 8 Chair, at [email protected] or Lynn Mitchell, District 9 Chair, at [email protected].

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

WHEN:  Wednesday September 9th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Pub 47, Back Room (to the right), 10400 Illinois Route 47, Huntley

Round tables are 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!

RSVP not necessary but always appreciated.

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].

DISTRICT 8 DEMOCRAT ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION - SPRING GROVE

Crafted especially for Democratic Voters in Richmond and Hebron Townships.

WHEN:  Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Maria's Mexican Grill, 2207 US Route 12, Spring Grove

Note our new location!

The most awesome AJ Johnson will be joining us.  AJ, career Army and now the ROTC teacher at Waukegan High School, is our Democratic nominee for state rep in the 64th district.

We have many great Democratic candidates.  They're all there at mchenrydems.org/candidates.  Let's put our heads together to see where we can each volunteer to make a difference and FLIP McHenry County BLUE.

Become a Board Watcher for all the local boards so we become aware of the issues and who is making decisions. Because of the death of local journalism, this is a necessary position to keep our democracy.

Bring a bag of non-chocolate candy for our summer parades.  It's a McHenry County tradition to hand out candy to the kiddies, and we're marching in a whole bunch of parades this year.  Thank you!

Bring a friend.  For more information please reach out to Pat Lawlor, District 8 Chair, at [email protected].

DISTRICT 8 DEMOCRATIC ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION - HARVARD

Crafted especially for Democratic Voters in Harvard, Alden, Hartland, Dunham and Chemung Townships.  

WHEN:  Thursday, September 10th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Northfield Court Apartments Community Room, 1410 Northfield Court, Harvard

Enter the Northfield Court Apartments drive, then go past the playground on the left to the office/clubhouse/pool.  Park in front of the building or across the street.  No drinks will be provided, so please bring your own.

The most awesome Dr. Bridget Belcastro will be joining us.  Dr. Belcastro is our Democratic candidate for McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools.

We have many great Democratic candidates.  They're all there at mchenrydems.org/candidates.  Let's put our heads together to see where we can each volunteer to make a difference and FLIP McHenry County BLUE.

Become a Board Watcher for all the local boards so we become aware of the issues and who is making decisions. Because of the death of local journalism, this is a necessary position to keep our democracy.

Bring a bag of non-chocolate candy for our summer parades.  It's a fun McHenry County tradition to hand out candy to the kiddies, and we're marching in a whole bunch of parades this year.  Thank you!

Bring a friend.  For more information please reach out to Pat Lawlor, District 8 Chair, at [email protected].

NOW's Women Speakers Series - Sarah Mertens, Maria Peterson, Carolyn Campbell

WHEN:  September 10th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Algonquin Township, 3702 Northwest Highway (US Route 14), Crystal Lake.   (Turn in only going north/northwest.  Walk down the ramp and enter the building in the back.)

The National Organization for Women (now.org) has a long and proud, fully nonpartisan, feminist history.  Please join the McHenry County NOW chapter (mchenryconow.org) for a continuation of their 2026 Women Speakers Series at their regular September meeting.  Social hour begins at 6:30, meeting at 7.

Featuring candidates Sarah Mertens (35th state senate district), Maria Peterson (52nd state rep district), and Carolyn Campbell, our incumbent running for re-election to the McHenry County Board in district 3.

Visit Sarah at citizensforsarahmertens.com or on Facebook.
Visit Maria at mariafor52.com or on Facebook.
Visit Carolyn at carolynlyncampbell.com or on Facebook.

Visit McHenry County NOW at mchenryconow.org or on Facebook.

For more information please contact [email protected].

THE FINISH LINE -- Fundraiser for Dee Darling

WHEN:   Saturday, September 12th, 2026 -- Noon to 2:00 pm
WHERE:  Galati's Hideaway, 800 Feinberg Court, Cary

Dee Darling, our most awesome candidate for county board in district 1, writes:  "Please join us for a fundraiser to help power the final push of this campaign.   Election Day is coming up fast, and there's still so much work to do to get our message to every corner of District 1. Walk cards, Mailers, Yard signs, Digital ads, maybe even a billboard where our neighbors will see it every day.  But none of it happens without your support in the home stretch. This is a grassroots campaign, funded by neighbors, not corporations or special interests, and that means every single dollar makes a real difference."

"If you also believe in a McHenry County that works for everyone, singles and seniors, veterans and young families alike, I'd be grateful for your support.   Let's finish this strong, together."

Please join Dee for a pizza lunch -- only $20.  Can't make it to the fundraiser? An online donation for our final push to that election day finish line goes just as far: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/vote4darling

Visit Dee at vote4darling.com or on Facebook.

For more information please reach out to Regina Rakoncay at [email protected] or 847-497-5355

League of Women Voters of McHenry County -- 2026 Candidate Meet n Greet's

The McHenry County chapter of the League of Women Voters -- a completely nonpartisan group -- is sponsoring a series of Meet n Greet's for McHenry County candidates for county and state legislative offices.  All candidates are invited.

Please join in to learn and show your support for our awesome Democratic candidates.

Saturday September 12th -- 1:00 to 3:00 pm -- County Board Districts 6 and 8 - with Sheryl Lindenbaum (district 6).  At the Nippersink Library, 5418 Hill Road, Richmond.

Saturday September 19th -- 1:30 to 3:30 pm -- County Board District 1 -- with Dee Darling.  At the Cary Library, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary.

Sunday September 27th -- 2:00 to 4:00 pm -- County Board District 5 -- with Austin May.  At the McHenry Library, 809 Front Street, McHenry.

Wednesday September 30th -- 5:30 to 7:30 pm -- County Board Districts 3 and 9 -- with Carolyn Campbell (district 3) and Christine Hamm (district 9).

Here's the event on the League's Facebook page.

Visit the League of Women Voters of McHenry County at lwvmchenrycountyil.lwv.org or on Facebook.

2026 Johnsburg Saufen und Spiel Parade

WHEN:  Sunday, September 13th, 2026 -- Stepoff at 12:00 noon.  Come early to park and find us.  We'll be arriving with our float about 10am, and help decorating is always appreciated.

WHERE:  Official stepoff is from the Johnsburg Village Hall, at 1515 Channel Beach Avenue.  Our assembly point is in Sunnyside Park, immediately to the south.

Saufen und Spiel -- in German, Drink and Play -- and there's no better way to celebrate late summer than by marching with the McHenry Democrats -- and our awesome candidates -- in the 2026 parade in the happening town of Johnsburg.   Please RSVP and come on out if you can.

It's about a two-mile walk, or you can ride with us on our float.  The parade takes us west on Channel Beach Avenue, then southwest on Johnsburg Road, north on Spring Grove Road, and finally east on Church Street to the Johnsburg Community Club.