The St. Joseph County Democratic Party is hosting an event at Memory Isle Park in downtown Three Rivers this Sunday. Called “Dems on Mem,” organizers characterize the event as a pre-election rally. It will feature a number of candidates for Federal, state, and local offices, and the schedule will also include live music, speeches, and an informal candidate meet-and-greet.
Candidates present at the event are expected to speak. They will include Jon Hoadley, who is running for a U.S. Congressional seat, as well as Amy East, who is running for the seat of 59th District Representative in the Michigan Legislature. Also present will be Andrew George and Kathy Greaves, candidates for the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners for the First and Second Districts, respectively. Each candidate will have a table at the event. Tables will feature volunteer signup sheets and an online donation portal, but cash donations will also be accepted.
Community activists Torrey Brown and Courtney Moore will speak as well, and Moore, a vocalist, is also expected to sing. Additional music entertainment will be provided by D.J. Mitchie Moore.
George, who is also Chair of the St. Joseph County Democrats and is helping organize Sunday’s event, said, “the rally is about unity, about coming together to ensure that St. Joseph county citizens receive the representation that they deserve on all levels of our government. We just want our community to know that there are candidates here fighting for all of us.” George said the event is the Democrats’ “last hurrah” before the November 3 General Election.
Although the forecast only calls for limited rain, the event will take place rain or shine, and George said attendees should plan to check the weather and dress accordingly. “It is late October, and it may sprinkle, and it is chilly out, so we want to make sure that people are dressing warm,” George said. “We also want people to make sure that they’re adhering to the COVID guidelines by bringing a mask and wearing a mask and maintaining six feet distance from patrons that they did not come with.”
The event will take place this Sunday, September 25, 2020, on Memory Isle from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and is free of charge. Memory Isle parking is available off Railroad Drive just north of Michigan Avenue. Visitors can park in the lots and walk across the bridge to the Island. Built-in seating is limited on the island, but George said attendees are welcome and encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.
