Condoms, coconuts and kitsch for Kamala at quirky ‘DemPalooza’
CHICAGO — Democrats who really want to stick it to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 can strap on one of the 5,000 free "F— Project 2025" condoms being passed out at the Democratic National Convention’s “DemPalooza” and do their thing.
For those who aren’t so hardcore — or who just want to keep politics out of their bedrooms — there are also free, sexless "F— Project 2025" stickers at the Voters of Tomorrow booth.
Free "F--- Project 2025" condoms and stickers at the Voters of Tomorrow booth at DemPalooza in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
While politics is surely in the air at this mini indoor festival that Democratic brass is throwing for delegates, attendees here can get everything from local tofu to a $10,000 sculpture.
"The hippest, hottest, most exclusive patches you won’t find anywhere else!" — as seen at DemPalooza in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
In many ways, DemPlooza is a mirror into contemporary Democratic Party identity politics: Everyone and, seemingly, anything is welcome, except a discernible theme.
That seems to be why the “Breaking the Taboo: Atheists and Humanists in Elected Office” booth is a mere two booths and a couple aisles away from the expansive, if empty, “Evangelicals for Harris” space here at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center —- roughly five miles east at the United Center, where prime time festivities are taking place.
While there are union, climate, children’s literacy, abortion rights and D.C. statehood advocate booths here, , to name a few, visitors can also score a $28 candle, a $24.95 White House Historical Association holiday ornament, locally sourced honey, vintage sneakers, a tuxedo and, of course, anti-Trump T-shirts.
The Planned Parenthood booth at DemPlooza in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
Being a political convention, there are also buttons, pins and patches galore, including one locally run booth — with offerings like “savage,” “hustle,” “bossy” and even “plant slayer” —- that promises “the hippest, hottest, most exclusive patches you won’t find anywhere else!”
DemPalooza at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center didn't attract many people on Aug. 19, 2024, as the Democratic National Convention kicked off. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
On Monday, the first day of the Democratic National Convention, there weren’t many visitors to DemPalooza — which it seems is something the party doesn’t want to talk about.
The Democratic National Convention press office told Raw Story to “direct your inquiry to the Democratic National Committee,” which did not respond to a request for comment.
The Dandy Kingzman / Paul Hudson booth at DemPlooza in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
Unfazed by crowd sizes, vendors were smiling while passing out neon green “gun safety is brat” bracelets, “the rent is too damn high” stickers and “we decide” chapstick from Planned Parenthood.
While the Harris-Walz campaign, the Democratic Party and advocacy organizations are signing up and training as many volunteers as they can, parts of the expansive, concrete clad convention hall feels more like a flea market than a political convention.
ALSO READ: ‘Stop the Steal’ organizer hired by Trump campaign for Election 2024 endgame
If a delegate needs it, they can also score a pink leotard.
Or they can snag a colorful safari fedora.
Earrings, bracelets (including stations to make your own), necklaces and other accessories are everywhere.
Attendees can likewise click a selfie with a cardboard cutout of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Kamala Harris cardboard cutout at DemPlooza in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
And, of course, the Harris campaign set up The Coconut Club, which seems to be a workspace for the campaign’s young staffers.
The Coconut Club as seen in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024, pop-up promises "She’s so bratwurst" on its menu, yet they don’t sell brats. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
While Harris is the Democratic Party’s nominee, Chicago is home to former President Barack Obama, whose image is splashed on art, tees, posters and buttons.
Democrats are hoping Harris follows Obama’s footsteps, becoming in the process the first Black female president.
Art of Chicago son Barack Obama and other Black icons were also for sale at DemPlooza in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
For inspiration, Obama’s old shoes are on display at DemPalooza.
Shoes worn by former presidents Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and many more were on display at DemPalooza in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo: Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
They sit alongside other displays of historical footwear — shoes worn by Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, to name a few.