A press release has arrived promoting the Diversity Day Festival on the Woodstock Square on Sunday, October 5th. It follows:
DIVERISTY DAY 2008 PROMOTES DEMOCRACY
WOODSTOCK—With the election year only a month away the annual Diversity Day Festival will celebrate “Democracy is Our Hope” as its theme. Diversity Day 2008 will be held on Sunday, October 5 from 1 to 4 PM on the Square in Woodstock.
“The festival will highlight the democratic process in several ways while remaining non-partisan,” according to Executive Director and program host Patrick Murfin. “We invited local candidates and office holders from all parties to attend and speak briefly.” Among those who will speak are State Senator Pam Althoff, Democratic State’s Attorney candidate Thomas Cynor, Green Party candidate for Congress from the 16th District, Scott Summers, and Democratic candidate for County Auditor Kerry Jullian. Other candidates may also appear.
Parties and candidates will also be among the many information table that will be on display during the festival. Information will be available from a wide array of local social service agencies, government agencies, community organization, religious groups, and issue advocacy organizations.
“Voter registrars will also be on hand,” Murfin said. “Registration for the November election closes on October 7, so this could be a last chance for many people.”
As usual the festival will feature a wide variety of entertainment including performances by the Congregational Unitarian Church Choir, salsa and contemporary Latin dance by members of Latinos Unidos from McHenry County College, rock band AM2, children’s music by Tim Irish, a folk performance by Keith Johnson and Judy Matzen, and folk dancing by Corazon Bolivano.
Tim Irish will also be performing in a new children’s area which will also feature face painting and Emma the Therapy Dog, who loves to be petted.
A highlight of the festival will be the awarding of the annual Peace and Justice Award. Last year’s winners Alice and Bill Hownstine will present the award to Sue Rose, Community Services Director of the McHenry County Housing Authority.
Murfin will be joined on stage again this year by Gloria Urch, his long time festival co-host.
Food will be available on the Square from Pappa Saverio’s Pizzaria in Lake in the Hills.
Now in its 12th year, Diversity Day 2008 is organized by the Congregational Unitarian Church in Woodstock with sponsorship support by the Land Conservancy of McHenry County.
For more information call Patrick Murfin at 815 814-5645 or e-mail DivDay@sbcglobal.net.
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I got this jaunty photo of Patrick Murfin at the February meeting of the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee.