Saturday, September 19 was the 14th annual Fighting Bob Fest with the theme: “Back by Populist Demand!”
Speakers included Russ Feingold, John Nichols, and Ed Schultz. As always there was a raucous kick-off Friday night, this one at The Barrymore Theatre featuring progressive comedy by John Fugelsang, Lizz Winstead, and Jim Hightower.
The festivities on Saturday got rolling at 9:30 a.m. accompanied by outstanding local food, beer by Great Dane Brewing, and more than 60 progressive organizations and vendor tables throughout the day. Audience members joined us for break-out sessions on the environment, public schools, race, women’s health, and progressive messaging.
FIGHTING BOB FEST Schedule
9am – gates open – Solidarity Singers
9:30am – Welcome session featuring Ruth Conniff, Dave Zwiefel, Secretary of State Doug La Follette, Mayor Paul Soglin, County Executive Joe Parisi, Joel Rogers, Mike McCabe, Scot Ross, Russ Feingold, and the Raging Grannies
11:15am – 12:15pm BREAKOUTS SESSIONS!
Citizen Action & Local Control to Save our Natural Resources- Main Stage
Fighting Colonialism in Black America – Tent 1
Taking Politics Out of Women’s Health – Tent 2
The Unexpected Belle La Follette – Room 3
12:15 – 12:45pm Lunch
Music! The Kissers
12:45 – Afternoon progream featuring John Fugelsang, Chris Taylor, Jesse Hagopian,
Poetry,
Mark Pocan, Mark Dimondstein, Christine Neumann-Ortiz,
Music! Mad City Jug Band,
YGB/ Kevin Alexander Gray, Jim Hightower, Lizz Winstead
Poetry
John Nichols, Ed Schultz
Closing Remarks Ruth Conniff
Music! Sean Michael Dargan
4:30pm ORGANIZING SESSIONS!
Imagining a New Political Language, Implementing a New Political Reality – Tent 1
Saving our Public Schools – Tent 2