Protest and Pride—A Busy Weekend in McHenry County

The streets call activists and lovers of justice and inclusion this weekend in McHenry County.  On Saturday there will be a local opportunity to participate in nation-wide March for Our Lives demonstrations.  All weekend Woodstock Pride has a full schedule of events culminating with the Pride Fest and the Pride Parade in Woodstock.

Hundreds crowded Woodstock Square for the first local March for Our Lives event following the mass school shooting in Parkland Florida.  It was a raw March day in 2018.  Seen above is part of the the Tree of Life U.U. Congregation contingent. 

March for Our Lives, the student-led gun control advocacy group founded by Parkland school shooting survivors, is planning nationwide protests on Saturday June 11 including a mass march in Washington, D.C. which will begin at noon Eastern Daylight Time.  In Chicago the event will be held beginning at 12 pm at the Federal Plaza.  Locally there will be an event in Crystal Lake on June from 1 am to 3 pm at Exchange Drive and Route 14.  It will be a sidewalk vigil lining Rt. 14 outside Binney’s Beverage Depot.  Parking available in shop lots.  The event is co-sponsored by Standing up Against Racism Woodstock, McHenry County NOW, and Together We Stand McHenry County.  Members of the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry will be glad to lend their voices.   You are invited to personalize your gun violence message on your own signs and placards.

The Woodstock Pride Fest  schedule. 

After the Coronavirus pandemic subdued celebrations for the last two years Woodstock Pride Fest has come roaring back with a full schedule of events all weekend including the Rainbow Color Run beginning Saturday, June 11 at 10 a.m. starting at Emricson Park and a new Pride Fest Pub Crawl to many of Woodstock fine watering holes on and around the Square beginning at 6 p.m.  On both Saturday and Sunday walkers, cyclists, and drivers can follow a map to view and visit homes, businesses, churches, and agencies that are creatively decorated.

The Pride Parade route map for 2022.

The crowning events of course are the gala Pride Parade will start at 11 a.m. come down Dean Street to loop the Square to kick-of the Fest at noon.  The program from the Gazebo will include the opening featuring Grand Marshals Theo Dice, Michael Meredith of Iron and Ivory, and Shannon Mingalone, Congressman Bill Foster, other guests, and Theatre 121 ensemble; 1 p.m. Donna & Alma Brooks; 2 pm Woodstock PrideFest superstar Jayleigh; 3 p.m. Rain Bow Sinthesky. There will be an extended set every hour by a featured performer with Queens throughout and local favorite, DJ Tim Hicks of Music in Motion. 

Pride Fest on the square will feature not only the stage program but also food trucks and concessions; venders; information booths for supportive non-profit organizations, social service agencies, activist groups, and religious supporters. 

The Tree of Life info booth at the inaugural 2019 Woodstock Pride Fest.

Tree of Life UU Congregation with our long, close association with the LGBTQ community will be sharing booth space with our old friends and allies from PFLAG McHenry County.  Look for us at booth #40.

Pride Fest is co-sponsored by Woodstock Pride and the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and several other businesses and organizations.