(7-5-25) The annual Defiance County Democratic Party picnic is set for July 12 (next Saturday) at Defiance’s UAW Local 211 Park, 2120 Baltimore St.

Christopher Gibbs and Dr. Amy Acton

Called the “Picnic with a Purpose,” the event will be held from noon-4 p.m.

Rebecca Kirkland, chair of the Defiance County Democratic Party

“The NW OH Democratic Picnic is a great opportunity for community networking across several counties in Northwest Ohio. If anyone wants to get involved in local Democratic events, this is the place to meet and greet fellow Democrats, Progressives and Independents.”

Christopher Gibbs, an Ohio farmer and current Democratic Chair for Shelby County, is slated to speak. Gibbs worked for the USDA for 30 years, administering federal agricultural policy to farmers.

After 20 years of service to the GOP, many as chairman, Gibbs left the party. He felt his values did not align with those of the MAGA movement. A prominent voice for rural Democrats at the state and national level, he has been featured on CNN and in The New York Times.

Dr. Amy Acton, running for Ohio governor in 2026, also will be a speaker. She has years experience working in pediatric and preventive medicine and was an award-winning professor at Ohio State University.

She has served and founded numerous foundations in service of women’s, children’s and community health. DeWine appointed Acton to serve as the director of the Ohio Department of Public Health in 2019.

Acton’s bipartisan leadership was reflected in her work to assist millions of Ohioans suffering from the opioid crisis and through her role in managing the COVID pandemic, which earned her national recognition.

Acton’s recent humanitarian initiatives include founding the Center for Human Kindness, whose mission is to inspire kind acts and social connection in the community. She also works with several non-profits to address issues such as food insecurity and homelessness.

Several local and regional organizations will have resource tables at the picnic to provide attendees with the education and tools necessary to become actively involved in causes related to healthcare, labor, education, immigrant rights, environmental initiatives, women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness, agriculture/farming and veterans’ issues.

An assortment of food trucks will be available onsite while attendees also are welcome to carry-in their own lunches. Entertainment will include kids’ games, a bouncy house, face painting and live music from local artists.

The site is handicap accessible. The entry fee is $5 per person while kids 12 and under are free. Attendees can register at https://mobilize.us/s/prkCA8 or pay at the event.

For more information, visit the DCDP website at https://defiancecountydemocrats.org or the Defiance County Democratic Party page on Facebook.