Events
Monthly Meeting
Join us for our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats. We will meet on Monday, April 15th, at 5:30 pm at The Boat House, located at 301 E 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
Everyone is welcome to join us for a casual social hour following the meeting.
McGovern Day
The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) will host McGovern Day on Saturday, April 13th at the Riverview Barn in Sioux Falls, SD. Come meet and hear from Minnesota DFL Chair and DNC Vice Chair Ken Martin!
There will be a reception at 5pm where you can meet our honored guests and speakers. A cash bar will available. This event is free to all monthly donors.
Dinner starts at 7pm as we honor our most dedicated Democrats with the George McGovern Grassroots, the Richard F. Kneip Young Democrat and the Goldie Wells Lifetime Achievement Awards. Each ticket includes a plated dinner, while supply lasts. We’ll offer a silent auction during dinner.
For any other questions or accommodation needs, please call the SDDP office at (605) 271-5405 or email info@sddp.org.
Monthly Meeting: March 2024
Join us for our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats. We will meet on Monday, March 18th, at 5:30 pm at The Boat House, located at 301 E 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
This month we are honored to welcome Shane Merril, Chair of the South Dakota State Democratic Party. A native of Parker, SD, Shane’s work as a farmer and school bus driver provide him with a unique and important perspective as a Democratic leader in our state. Shane will talk about his own call to public service and update us on the work of the state party.
Everyone is welcome to join us for a casual social hour following the meeting.
Cracker Barrel
The third and final Cracker Barrel of the 2024 S.D. Lesgislative Session will be held on Saturday, March 2, from 10 - 11 am at the City Commission Room at CMTEA, located at 1200 West 21st Street in Yankton.
Hosted by Yankton Thrive, these open forums provide residents of District 18 the opportunity to ask questions and listen to updates and opinions from South Dakota State Representatives Mike Stevens-R and Julie Auch-R, as well as South Dakota State Senator Jean Hunhoff-R. This is an important way to understand how they are representing you in Pierre!
All are welcome to this free community event.
Monthly Meeting: February 2024
Join us for our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats. We will meet on Monday, February 19th, at 5:30 pm at The Boat House, located at 301 E 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
Everyone is welcome to join us for a casual social hour following the meeting.
Monthly Meeting: January 22, 2024
A new year and a new meeting location and date! Join us for our monthly meeting on Monday, January 22, 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House, located at 301 E. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton. We will be discussing upcoming elections, as well as voter registration and voting initiatives.
Following the meeting, all are welcome to join us for a casual social hour.
Monthly Meeting: December 18
Join us for our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats. We will meet on Monday, December 18th, at 5:30 pm in the Copper Room, located on the second floor of Ben’s Brewing Co. at 222 W. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
Everyone is welcome to join us for a casual social hour at Ben’s Brewing Co. following the meeting.
Monthly Meeting: November 20
Our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be held Monday, November 20th, at 5:30 pm in the Copper Room, located on the second floor of Ben’s Brewing Co. at 222 W. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
We will be discussing committee updates and plans for future events.
Everyone is welcome to join us for a casual social hour at Ben’s Brewing Co. following the meeting.
Monthly Meeting: October 16
Our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be held next Monday, October 16th, at 5:30 pm in the Copper Room, located on the second floor of Ben’s Brewing Co. at 222 W. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
Dan Ahlers, Executive Director of the South Dakota State Democratic Party (SDDP) will be the featured speaker this month. A former state representative and senator from District 25, Dan started his leadership role with SDDP this past May. He will share some of the work currently underway and planned for the upcoming election year. You can read Dan’s bio on the SDDP website.
Everyone is welcome to join us for a casual social hour at Ben’s Brewing Co. following the meeting.
Monthly Meeting: September 18
Our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be held on Monday, September 18, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Copper Room located above Ben’s Bar in downtown Yankton.
This month we will discuss our strategic planning objectives and work accomplished by subcommittees to-date.
All are welcome to stay for social hour following the meeting.
August Happy Hour
This month we are taking a break from our regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Instead, we will gather just to socialize.
Join us on Friday, August 18th, between 4 - 6 pm in the private party room at The Boathouse, located at 301 E. 3rd Street in Downtown Yankton.
Whether you regularly attend our meetings or you’re just curious and want to meet other people in our group, we hope to see you — and your family and friends — at The Boathouse on August 18th!
It will be a great way to kick off the Riverboat Days weekend.
Monthly Meeting: July 17
Our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be held on Monday, July 17, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Quiet Room at the Yankton Community Library.
This month we will discuss our strategic planning meeting from the previous month and develop a plan for achieving our local party’s goals. We will be specifically looking for people who are willing to share their time and talent to help achieve our common goals.
Pride Across the Bridge
Join us for a walk across the Meridian Bridge in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community. This event, which promotes our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all, is being organized by some of our members of the Yankton Democratic Party.
Immediately following the walk, people are invited to hear Mitchell Olson, a former contestant on Survivor, talk about his life experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in South Dakota.
Strategic Planning Meeting
Help us identify and map out strategies for the future of the Yankton County Democratic Party. All are welcome to share ideas about activities they would like to see happen to reach our shared goals. Join us at Ben’s Brewing in Downtown Yankton in the Copper Room on Saturday, June 10th, from 1-3pm.
Monthly Meeting: May 2023
Our monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be held on Monday, May 8th, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Quiet Room at the Yankton Community Library.
This month, we will hear from a Taneeza Islam, Founder and Executive Director of South Dakota Voices for Peace and its lobbying counterpart South Dakota Voices for Justice. Taneeza, a 2022 candidate for mayor of Sioux Falls, will talk about the organizations’ work to build power and enable healing in immigrant, refugee, and Muslim communities by amplifying their voices and working in solidarity with all who dismantle bigotry and racism. Taneeza will discuss work during the 2023 Legislative Session to promote diversity, inclusion, and an anti-racist South Dakota and the work that will continue to happen to realize that vision.
Young Elected Legislative Leaders (YELL)!
High school students from across the state are invited to participate in the 2023 YELL! program in Pierre on Saturday, April 15th. Interested candidates should fill out the online form here online.
Monthly Meeting: April 2023
Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, newly elected chair of the South Dakota State Democratic Party, will speak to the Yankton County Democrats group on Monday, April 10th.
Monthly Meeting: March 2023
The monthly meeting of the Yankton County Democrats will be held on Monday, March 13, 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Quiet Room at the Yankton Community Library.
This month we will hear from a representative of The Transformation Project. Based in Sioux Falls, they will talk about the mission of the organization and their work in Pierre during the current legislative session to support and empower transgender individuals and their families, and to educate South Dakota communities.
All are welcome to attend and participate in our monthly meeting, which occur on the second Monday of every month at 5:30 pm.
Cracker Barrel
Yankton Thrive is hosting the third and final Cracker Barrel forum. These open forums provide residents of District 18 to ask questions and listen to updates and opinions from South Dakota State Representatives Mike Stevens-R and Julie Auch-R, as well as South Dakota State Senator Jean Hunhoff-R. This is an important way to understand how they are representing you in Pierre.
Monthly Meeting: February 2023
All are welcome to attend and participate in our monthly meeting. This month we will meet in the Quiet Room at the Yankton Community Library.
Cracker Barrel
Yankton Thrive is hosting the second in a series of three 2023 Cracker Barrel forums. These open forums provide residents of District 18 to ask questions and listen to updates and opinions from South Dakota State Representatives Mike Stevens-R and Julie Auch-R, as well as South Dakota State Senator Jean Hunhoff-R. This is an important way to understand how they are representing you in Pierre.
Cracker Barrel
Yankton Thrive is hosting the first in a series of three 2023 Cracker Barrel forums. These open forums provide residents of District 18 to ask questions and listen to updates and opinions from South Dakota State Representatives Mike Stevens-R and Julie Auch-R, as well as South Dakota State Senator Jean Hunhoff-R. This is an important way to understand how they are representing you in Pierre.
Monthly Meeting: January 2023
All are welcome to attend our monthly meeting. We will meet in the quiet room at the Yankton Community Library.
Monthly Meeting: October 2022
Early voting is already underway and Election Day (November 8th) is just one month away! And there is still a lot of work to do and information to share to ensure that voters have the information they need to cast their vote at the polls.
Please join us for our monthly meeting on Monday, October 10th at Riverside Park (shelter with the red roof by the playground) in Yankton to learn about candidates who are running for local and state-wide public office, as well as ballot measures. We are especially excited to welcome John Cunningham who is running for South Dakota State Treasurer to talk about his pledge as the “ethical choice.”
All are welcome to attend our public meetings. Please contact us with questions or for more information.
Monthly Meeting: September 2022
Come learn about our 2022 statewide candidates who are running for State Treasurer, State Auditor, Secretary of State, Public Utilities Commissioner, and Commissioner of Schools and Public Lands.
We will also provide updates on the current election campaigns, hear from our local candidates, and provide opportunities for you to get involved prior to November 8th.
All are welcome to attend our public meetings.
Riverboat Days Parade
Support our local and statewide Democratic candidates! Come walk with us in the 2022 Riverboat Days Parade. This year’s theme is “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock’n’Roll.” We are excited to have local candidates, as well as S.D. gubernatorial candidate Jamie Smith and U.S. senate candidate Brian Bengs.
Happy Hour with Jamie Smith
All are welcome to join us for a Friday afternoon happy hour with South Dakota gubernatorial candidate Jamie Smith at the Boat House, 301 E. 3rd Street, in Yankton.
Come hear Jamie Smith talk about how he was called to public service (he currently serves as Representative for District 15) and why he is the right choice to lead South Dakota as our next governor.
This is a free, family-friendly event. The first 40 attendees will receive a free beer!
Monthly Meeting: August 2022
As the election season enters full swing there is a lot to talk about, organize, and do! Join us for our regularly scheduled
Monthly Meeting: August 2022
Come here from our local candidates, as well as our state candidates for South Dakota governor and U.S. Senate. Potluck event in Riverside Park.