COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Democratic Club welcomed new, young members to its annual Spring Forth Celebration Wednesday evening at the Lake City Center.

The newly established North Idaho College Young Democrats made their community debut at the event, which serves as a major fundraiser for the KCDC.

"We love young blood," said Mike Kennedy, event emcee and former Coeur d'Alene city councilman. "Twenty years ago I was young blood like you. You get older and you still survive."

The NIC Young Democrats officially formed about a month ago. Six officers attended the Spring Forth Celebration, including club president Lindsey Shaw, 29, of Hayden. She said the Kootenai County Democrats were the inspiration for the NIC Democrats to form and that the club is focused on attracting even more young people to the party.

"A lot of the younger generations don't want to vote, or don't know how to vote or don't know why they should vote," Shaw said.

Young Democrat Alex Knox, 17, of Coeur d'Alene, serves as the club's representative to the college. He might not be able to vote yet, but he is happy to call himself a Democrat for several reasons.

"I love how we all push forward for equality. We all want equality for everyone, not just African-Americans, Latinos, LGBT," he said. "That's really why I became a Democrat. I'm gay, and the Democratic Party is just so accepting and they want our rights. They're so forward for us. That's why I love being in this party, and there are so many other issues that I totally agree on. We just want to get stuff done. We want to right things for everyone."

Another young person who attended the celebration was Kiara Jones, 10, of Worley, who accompanied her grandfather, Ed Lockwood of Coeur d'Alene. A future Democrat, Kiara said she enjoys marching in parades with the KCDC.

"I like how they help kids in Idaho and all over the United States with education and they help make sure they get the right people to vote for," she said.

Kiara also said she would like to follow in her grandpa's footsteps.

"I've always wanted to be like him, and he's been a great part of my life," she said. "It's kind of something special that we could do together that we would cherish forever, and I think that's why I want to be a Democrat."

About 130 people attended the Spring Forth Celebration, which included a dinner, live music, live and silent auctions and social time. Auction items included artwork, historic newspapers, a handmade silver leaf necklace, gift certificates and baskets, wines and other goodies.

Along with first-time attendees were many familiar faces and long-time Democratic Club members, making for a friendly and casual atmosphere. A game of "Democratic Jeopardy" also added some humor and tested participants' knowledge with categories such as "Who said That?" and "Faux or Fox."

KCDC secretary Janie Hansen of Coeur d'Alene said the event was an opportunity for club members and the public to have conversations about the party's platform planks, which are: An economy that works for everyone, a world-class system of public education, safe communities where families thrive, democracy based on honesty, equality and respect for all Idahoans, supporting workers and business people, supporting our military and being good stewards.

"What I enjoy most is seeing and hearing what people are talking about, to improve our county through the democratic process," Hansen said. "I enjoy listening to their take on what needs to be done and how to do it."

Spring Forth chairwoman Kristi Milan of Coeur d'Alene has attended the celebration for about six years.

"I think, as a member of the minority party in this state, it's just nice to see that there are really a lot of people that have the same goals and are interested in the same issues that I am," she said. "We're willing to support a cause even though it may not be the winning cause. We're still out there plugging away for what we think is right."

When it comes to the 2016 presidential race, Milan said she would like to see "an open field, where there is a lot of discussion about a lot of different issues."

"Obviously, the frontrunner is Hillary Clinton," she said. "But you know, I think we will have other candidates come and that's good, because you want to have a debate on different issues."