FORSYTH COUNTY — Forsyth County Democrats are holding a series of events, including training sessions and a presidential candidate debate watching party, in the coming weeks.

The training is for those interested in serving as a delegate for the Democratic National Convention this summer in Philadelphia.

For the 7thCongressional District, which includes south Forsyth, the training will be held during the local party’s regular meeting, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the community room of McDonald & Son Funeral Home.

For the 9th District, which covers north Forsyth, it is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Sautee-Nacoochee Center in White County.

According to Wilma Turner, president of the local Democratic Party, residents can attend either session.

“[District 7 Chairman] Steve Riley said that if my people want to take it with the 9th [on Saturday] and go ahead and get it over, they can do that,” she said. “It’s training for the national convention delegates.”

An application to go to the convention is due by March 18 and selections will be made April 16.

On Sunday, the party will hold a viewing party at Taco Mac for the debate.

“Even though … all of us are complaining about [the Democrats’ debates] being late at night or on oddball days, we’ve had so much success with these debate watches,” Turner said.

And despite Forsyth’s staunch Republican reputation, Turner said there are a lot of Democrats in the county.

“The only thing is they’re not in touch with each other,” she said. “Every time if we have a booth at the [Cumming Country Fair & Festival] or somewhere, they’ll come up and say, ‘I thought I was the only Democrat in Forsyth County.’ So it’s very important that we get out there and make ourselves visible.”