A huge thanks to everyone who came, and to the candidates and organizations who tabled with us! We are excited for November and hope to see many of these folks back next year as elected officials!
Progressives in the Park led the local news 10pm shows - check out the stories here:
WZZM: Gretchen Whitmer Speaks to "Progressives in the Park" Event
WOOD: Whitmer Headlines Progressive Event in GR
Fox17: Whitmer Talks roads, health care at Progressives in the Park Event
We're excited to add a last minute guest to our lineup - at 8pm Gretchen Whitmer will be our closing speaker for Progressives in the Park! You won't want to miss a chance to hear from Michigan's next governor! Don't miss!!
Grand Rapids is home to some amazing food - we are fortunate to live in a city with people who have made delicious dining experiences their life's work! When you come to Wilcox Park on August 14, bring your appetite! The trucks will be with us for the whole event, from 4-8pm. You can get a head start on your menu planning by checking out their websites:
Two Scotts - traditional BBQ & sides
Patty Matters - choose-your-own burgers & sides
Gettin' Fresh - locally sourced fresh foods
What the Truck - locally sourced, amazing tacos (it'll be Taco Tuesday, after all!)
Ananda Ice - shaved ice for dessert
If you live in Grand Rapids or East Grand Rapids and would like to help us advertise for Progressives in the Park, fill out the form below!!
https://goo.gl/forms/hto9hPdsxCByQGr72
OK ... actually, we have Dan Kildee in a park. But, the important thing here is Dan Kildee is coming to Progressives in the Park 2018.
If you don't know about Dan, he's the amazing Congressperson fromMichigan's 5th District (Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, etc). He's a former Genesee County Commissioner, Genesee County Treasurer (where he invented Land Banks in Michigan), and President of The Center for Community Progress. Dan has been in Congress since 2013 and he is moving up the ranks quickly. Dan is on everyone's short list of members who may get leadership opportunities among House Democrats after November because he's wicked smart, pragmatic, compassionate, and strategic.
Dan is coming to PIP because he's dedicated to helping build a blue wave 🌊 everywhere in Michigan. Thank you Congressman Kildee! We can't wait to hear from you!
We've been hearing it for nearly two years - 2018 will the most important election of our lifetime. Democracy, fundamental rights, and our republic as we know it are at stake. We take this very seriously, and we know you do, too. What you may not realize is that every office up and down the ballot plays an important role in making our democracy work for us, the people. The work that candidates for offices like County Commissioner and State Representative - and even precinct delegate - do for their races trickles up to help our statewide and federal candidates WIN. We all want Michigan to work for us, and we all want the United States to be rid of leadership that terrorizes asylum seekers, bans Muslims, insults LGBTQ military heroes and refuses them medical care, calls Nazis "very fine people," and makes every effort to hold down the poor while enriching billionaires. Supporting candidates at EVERY level is the first step toward taking our country back, and that's our vision for Progressives in the Park. Come join us, hear from people who are running to represent you, and find out how you fit in to making the vision of a better city, county, state, country & world a reality.
(Photo: candidates standing at the July Kent County Democratic Party meeting)
Democrats in Kent County were out in force on the Fourth of July - from Caledonia to Cascade to East Grand Rapids to Ottawa Hills to Kentwood to Northfield we showed our communities that we are ready for mid-term elections! If you'd like to get involved with a campaign, summer is a great time! Candidates are out talking to voters and connecting with their community and can always use help. If you'd like to know more about local candidates, send us a note on our Contact page or join us at Progressives in the Park!
