Local DNC delegates plan outdoor watch party to celebrate final night of convention

Local DNC delegates plan outdoor watch party to celebrate final night of convention

Lehigh Valley delegates to the Democratic National Convention are gearing up for the final night of the virtual event. And as WLVR’s Jen Rehill reports, finding news ways to come together during a pandemic. 

Celeste Dee has been to national conventions before, and she says the delegate experience is typically a whirlwind over four or five days.

“Caucus meetings and receptions with other states and being able to make connections and build relationships with Democrats across the country, and do the party business,” said Dee.

The seventh district delegate says this year has been very different, watching the convention from home while taking part in virtual meetings. 

To recapture some of the social experience, Dee’s hosting a COVID-safe event in her backyard with local state Representative Jeanne McNeill. 

“We got this big, blow-up movie screen theater, and we invited our delegates and a few of our elected and party officials over so that we can at least all be together outside while we watch Vice President Biden accept our nomination and move forward to the presidency.”

Dee says the night will also include some local highlights – Lehigh Valley Congresswoman Susan Wild is expected to make a special appearance via video call, as is the Vice Chair of the state Democratic Party.

For safety reasons, the party is invite-only, and limited to other delegates, a handful of local leaders and some party officials. 

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