Parties, Parades, Picnics, Panels, And A Fish Fry

June is going to be a month of merriment. Besides the many campaign kickoffs this month (most of which are pretty fun themselves), many Democratic groups are hosting other celebrations and events. There's something fun for whatever your taste.

This Friday evening the Collin and Denton County Democratic Parties are holding their First Annual Fish Fry (imitating the Dallas County party's successful fall event). This Saturday starts with the Grand Prairie Democrats taking part in a Juneteenth Parade, continues with the always delightful Annual Picnic of the Lake Highland White Rock Democrats, and winds up with the Young Democrats 2nd Annual "Summer in the City" Roof Top Pool Party just south of downtown Dallas. (That's not counting the Tarrant County Democratic Party's welcome home party for their state legislators that same afternoon.)

Next weekend the Stonewall Democrats of Denton County will kick off a weekend of pride with a mixer on Friday the 26th, then a ceremony, film and panel discussion Saturday afternoon, leading up to the Dallas parade of the Million Gay March For Equality on Sunday morning. That Saturday evening the North Dallas Texas Democratic Women will host their annual party, which is likely to be a delight again.

Finally, on Tuesday evening, June 30, there will be a major Health Care Panel Discussion, sponsored by several different Democratic groups, at least two of which are doing this instead of their regular monthly meeting, as one more sign of how hot this issue is now in Washington. For more details on all of these, see the Upcoming Events below.

Wednesday, June 17:

• Garland Democratic Womens Club (11:30 AM, Siciliano's Taste of Italy, 2210 W. Buckingham, Garland)
  
• Judge Dan Patterson Reelection Campaign Kickoff Reception (5 - 7 PM, Adair's, 2624 Commerce Street, Dallas)
  
• Chris Wilmoth for Probate Court 2 Campaign Launch Party Food & Fun (6 - 8 PM, The Angry Dog, 2726 Commerce Street, Dallas)
  
• NW Dallas County Democrats (7:30 PM, Taco Cabana, 11824 Webb Chapel Rd at LBJ, Farmers Branch)

Thursday, June 18:

• Drinking Liberally Addison (6 PM, The Quarter, 15201 Addison Rd, Addison)
  
• Far North Dallas Democrats State Representative Carol Kent will be our speaker. (6:45 PM, Sonny Bryan's Private Dining Room, 1251 W Campbell Rd., Richardson)

Friday, June 19:

• 1st Annual Collin And Denton County Democratic Fish
  Fry A buffet of all you can eat catfish, hush puppies, slaw, and fixins, with ice tea to drink. Speakers include statewide candidates John Sharp and Tom Schieffer. $25 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance, deadline is June 15! More info or tickets online at this page. (6:30 - 9:30 PM, The Landing, Myers Park and Event Center, 7117 County Road 166, McKinney 75071)

Saturday, June 20:

• Grand Prairie Democrats at Juneteenth Parade and
  Picnic (Line up by the Liberty Bell at Grand Prairie City Hall at 8 AM; Parade starts at 10:00 AM at City Hall Plaza; Picnic at Tyre Park; GPD will have a booth there.)
  
• North Oak Cliff Democrats Breakfast (9 AM, Norma's Cafe, 1123 W Davis St at N. Winnetka, Dallas)
  
• Southwest Dallas County Democrats (10 AM, Ranch Steakhouse, Ste 200, 1435 N HWY 67 at Wintergreen exit, Cedar Hill)
  
• Lake Highlands White Rock Democrats Annual Picnic at White Rock Lake [This picnic is the June meeting.] We'll have grilled dogs and all of the fixings. Representatives Allen Vaught, Carol Kent, and Terri Hodge will give us a legislative update on what did and didn't happen in Austin. $5 - kids 12 and under, no charge. (11 AM - 1 PM, The Stone Tables at White Rock, 600 E. Lawther Drive [near Lake Highlands Drive at Buckner Blvd.], Dallas)
  
• Tarrant County Democratic Party Welcome Home Celebration in honor of the Democrats in the Texas Legislature from Tarrant County. Wendy, Lon, Marc, Paula and Chris spent 140 days fighting for us and our Democratic Values. This is your chance to say Thank You! (1 - 4 PM, Veterans Park in Arlington)
  
• Dallas County Young Democrats 2nd Annual "Summer in the City" Roof Top Pool Party Join us for sprightly refreshments, a dip in the pool, and a fantastic sunset. $25 General Admission; $20.00 for DCYD Sustaining Members. (6 - 10 PM, Canton Lofts, 2220 Canton St., Dallas)

Monday, June 22:

• Judge Lori Chrisman Hockett Reelection Campaign Reception (5-7 PM, Dali Cellar & Wine Room, 1722 Routh Street, Dallas)

Tuesday, June 23:

• Judge Tracy Holmes Reception (5 - 7 PM, Sammy's BBQ, 2126 Leonard Street, Dallas)
  
• Judge Dennise Garcia Campaign Kickoff & Birthday Celebration (5:30 - 7:30 PM, Veritas Wine Room, 2323 Henderson Ave, Dallas)
  
• Jamming with Judge Marty Lowy Campaign Kickoff Party (5:30-7:30 PM, Poor David's Pub, 1313 S. Lamar, Dallas)
  
• Hector Garza for County Criminal Court 5 Fundraiser (5:30 - 8 PM, Pepe's & Mito's Mexican Cafe, 2911 Elm St., Dallas)
  
• Richardson / North Dallas Democrats (7 PM, Chuck's, Northwest corner of Arapaho and Coit)
  
• Dallas Democrats Meetup (7 PM, La Madeleine, 3072 Mockingbird Ln. off Central, Dallas)

Wednesday, June 24:

• Judge D'metria Benson Reception (5:30 - 7 PM, The Wine Therapist, 1810 Skillman, Dallas)
  
• Judge Tena Callahan Reelection Campaign Reception (5:30 - 7:30 PM, The Original Market Diner, 4434 Harry Hines, Dallas)
  
• Dallas County East Democrats (7 PM, Paula Sue's Diner, 11915 Lake June Road, Balch Springs)

Thursday, June 25:

• Judge Elizabeth Crowder Fundraiser (5 - 7 PM, Sammy's BBQ, 2126 Leonard St., Dallas)
  
• Judge Doug Skemp Reelection Campaign Kickoff (5-7 PM, The Angry Dog, 2726 Commerce St, Dallas)
  
• Judge King Fifer Reelection Campaign Reception (5:30 - 7:30 PM, St. Pete's Dancing Marlin, 2730 Commerce Street, Dallas)
  
• Teresa Hawthorne for Judge Fundraiser for 203rd Criminal Dist. Court. Dinner Provided by Superflies Pies. Entertainment by Grammy Nominee Dr. Larry "T-Byrd" Gordan & The Music People Luv Orchestra/Showband. 214-724-5498. (5:30 - 8 PM, 6015 Stefani Drive, Dallas)

Friday, June 26:

• Stonewall Democrats of Denton County Mixer Wine, cheese and door prizes at "Denton's only gay bar". (7:30 - 9 PM, Mable Peabody's Beauty Shoppe And Chainsaw Repair, 1125 E. University Dr., Denton)

Saturday, June 27:

• Stonewall Democrats of Denton County Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Stonewall riots Presentation by Denton City Council, Documentary "Out Of The Past: The Struggle For Gay And Lesbian Rights In America"; and a panel descussion with former Dallas Mayor ProTem John Loza, PFLAG Denton founder Kathy Massey, and former UNT Professor Edra Bogle. (1 - 4 PM, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2200 N. Bell Ave., Denton)
  
• North Dallas Texas Democratic Women Summer Party Great food, great conversation, and this time we add great music for dancing in the spectacular back yard at Diane McQuarie and Paul Wilson's lovely home. We will provide BBQ Chicken & Brisket and a Vegetarian Entree along with wine, beer, water and soft drinks. Appetizers, salads, sides and desserts will be furnished by those attending. See a list of what you should bring (by the first letter of your last name) at this page. We MUST have your RSVP by June 25th in order to have a head count for food and drinks; contact phone 972-732-7712. (6 PM, 10898 Crooked Creek, Dallas)

Sunday, June 28:

• Million Gay March For Equality March begins at the intersection of Knight and Cedar Springs and will proceed from there to Lee Park to hear speakers and local LGBT entertainment. More info at Stonewall Democrats of Dallas. (2 - 5 PM, Dallas)
  
• Democratic Women of Denton County Speaker Kim Peters, founder of the Prom Shop Project. Free drawing for haircut and style by Sara McRoberts. See this page for more info. (2 -4 PM, Community Room, Lewisville Municipal Annex, 1197 W. Main - west of I-35 between Valley Parkway and Old Orchard, Lewisville)

Monday, June 29:

• Susan Anderson Campaign Kickoff Party (5:30 - 7:30 PM, The Loon, 3531 McKinney, Dallas)

Tuesday, June 30:

• Judge Tina Yoo Campaign Kickoff Celebration & Fundraiser (5 - 6:30 PM, Ojeda's Restaurant, 4617 Maple Ave., Dallas)
  
• Judge Cass Calloway Campaign Launch Party For Court of Criminal Appeals 1. (6:30 - 8:30 PM, Ojeda's Restaurant, 4617 Maple Ave., Dallas)
  
• Health Care Panel Discussion Sponsored by Park Cities/Central Dallas Democrats, Organizing for North Texas, the Northaven Church in Society Committee, North Dallas Texas Democratic Women, Stonewall Democrats, Old East Dallas Democrats, Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats, Precinct 1234 Democrats, and Preston Hollow Democrats. (7 PM, Northaven United Methodist Church, Preston Road between Royal
  and Forest, Dallas)

Thursday, July 16:

• Judge Jeff Rosenfield Campaign Party For Court of Criminal Appeals 2. (5 - 7 PM, Sammy's Barbecue, 2126 Leonard Street, Dallas)