PICTURES FROM A SOGGY DIVERSITY DAY
Ok, so at exactly 1 pm Sunday, as the Opera House bell struck the hour and Diversity Day 2008: Democracy is Our Hope officially opened for business, what had been an annoying drizzle turned into a good, soaking, cold fall rain. Thus what was a lively festival was missed by most folks who selfishly choose to stay dry. If they had toughed it out, the rain let up about halfway into the mission and the sun actually came out for the last 45 minutes.
Anyway, here is my gallery of all the action.
Moments before the opening under our cool new banner, Congregational Unitarian Church Choir Director Tom Steffens (center) conferred with sound man Keith Johnson of Off Square Music.
Tom and the fabulous CUC Choir led off the festival. That’s the Rev. Dan Larsen with the glasses and the beard behind the sopranos.
The Frothy Boys, so dubbed for their beverage of choice at rehearsals, did a mean a capella rendition of Georgia on My Mind.
Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) turned out in force despite the weather. A large contingent did a moving group reading from the Gazebo stage.
The indomitable Tom Dincecco looked over the program as he staffs the Woodstock Community Ministry (WACM) table safely out of the rain in the Pump House.
Also in the Pump House Pat Young staffed the CUC table.
The Pump House and PFLAG display as seen through the rain from the Gazebo.
Quaker environmental and peace activist Alice Howenstine, recipient with her husband Bill (who got cut out of this picture-sorry Bill) of the 2007 Peace & Justice Award, introduced this year’s winner Sue Rose (right) of the McHenry County Housing Authority
Republican incumbent McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz and her sister braved the rain to staff a table shared with incumbent Auditor Pam Palmer
Across the walk, the Democratic Party of McHenry County stayed relatively dry under a canopy. Despite the rain they did a brisk business all day in signs, buttons and campaign lit. That’s County Chair and District 3 County Board Candidate Kathy Bergan Schmidt-who will never forgive me for this shot-bending over.
Diversity Day’s first ever rock band, AM2 really got things moving.
The McHenry County Latino Coalition had quite a few takers sampling their own special blend of fair trade coffee from Conscious Cup.
Judy Vanderboom (center) chatted at the McHenry County Citizens for Choice (MCCD) booth.
Enthusiastic despite the weather, these two stirred up interest in Americorps.
As the rain stopped and skies began to clear Judy Matzen joined Keith Johnson for some folk music.
Dancers from Corazon Boliviano Grupo de Danza Folkloria Boliviana, who came all the way from Chicago, Really enlivened the end of the festival.
Danza Folkloria leader Julieta L. Bolívar (front) performed as the sun finally broke through the clouds.
My long time Diversity Day Co-host Gloria Urch took a moment to pose with me at the end of the festival.