Tonight and tomorrow, Democrats from around PA will meet in the Hershey Lodge to catch up on party business and endorse their candidates for the statewide judicial races. Dems are hoping to start of 2011 with a clean slate, and the planning and politicking that goes on this weekend will be a big part of that effort.

PoliticsPA gives you the rundown of where the major players will be and who is hosting the best events this weekend.

And be sure to check out our Run-Down of the Judicial Candidates and their chances of endorsement.

Social Events:

Brewskis with Bob Casey, 6-7pm, Red Room
This is the weekend’s biggest event, bar none, and everyone is talking about it. It’s Casey’s first political event of the 2012 cycle, and you can be sure he’ll be working the room actively, getting ready to defend a serious GOP challenge to his seat. If you can’t be at this event, why are you even coming to state committee? Tickets to the 7pm dinner will get you into this event.

Pre Game Kick-off Tailgate, 7-8pm, Red Room
This is the main event, and Democrats are going all-out for this fancy buffet (beer and wine included. Steeler fever is in the air, and dinner attendees are encouraged to wear team jerseys. Be there or be square, and expect a great deal of black and gold. Tickets are $75 for committee members, $100 for the general public.

PA Young Democrats reception with Rob McCord, 8-11pm, Cocoa Suite #4
The Young Dems are legendary for their great State Committee events, and this one promises to live up to the hype. Join the PAYDs and PA Treasurer Rob McCord from 8pm-11pm, and probably much later. The door cost is $25 and sponsors are $100 and $250.

The most interesting time slot will be 9pm on Friday, with dueling receptions for Superior Court candidates Bob Colville and David Wecht. Check back with PoliticsPA later today for a preview of that race, but in the meantime suffice it to say that one could will down to the wire. Both candidates hail from Allegheny County, so keep an eye on party Chairman Jim Burn. Dollars to doughnuts that the Allegheny vote and others will break to whichever candidate Burn visits the longest.

Cocktails With Colville Reception, 9-11, Room TBA
Colville secured the nomination in 2009. Will it be a repeat? To find out, see which Democratic players are working this room.

Cocktails with Judge David Wecht for Superior Court, 9pm-?, Hospitality Suite 5829
With a close race expected, Wecht will need to peel off some of Colville’s support and remind committee members of his long-standing history with the party.

And if that wasn’t enough, Commonwealth Court candidate Kathy Boockvar is hosting a reception of her own in the exact same time slot. This will be especially interesting because with Boockvar’s support in Philly, she may be the deciding factor in the Superior Court race if she decides to cut a deal.

Kathryn Boockvar for Commonwealth Court Judge Chocolate Extravaganza Reception, 9-11pm, Cocoa Suite #5
Boockvar has the most buzz around her name right now, and this is her chance to lock down on-the-fence committee members. Keep an eye on who’s bouncing between this event and those of the Superior Court candidates.

You can be sure that the politicking will continue long after the scheduled events are over, so your ear to the ground for impromptu plans if you’re there tonight.

Then the next morning, David Wecht will try and seal the deal with a breakfast.

Breakfast with Judge David Wecht for Superior Court, 7-10am, Hospitality Suite 5829
Committee members, like everyone in politics, love personal attention. This could be Wecht’s chance to seal the deal.

Official Events, Friday:

Friday
1-4:15pm: “DEMinars” on fundraising program NGP and their voter contact program VoteBuilder, fundraising in general, and the party’s repsonse to redistricting.
5pm Womens’ Caucus candidates debate.
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Woman’s Caucus Silent Auction –Confectionary Lobby
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm – Caucus Chairs Meeting – Magnolia C Room
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm – Credential Table – Confection Lobby
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Candidates Forum presented by the Women’s Caucus – Crystal A Room

Saturday
8:00 am to 9:00 am – Constituency Caucuses
Labor Caucus –         Empire C Room
LGBT Caucus –        Empire B Room
Black Caucus –         Empire A Room
Women’s Caucus –   Empire D Room
Veteran’s Caucus –  Magnolia A Room

9:00 am to 10:00 am – Standing Committees
Voter Outreach & Registration Committee – Magnolia A Room
By- Laws Committee –                                     Magnolia C Room
Rules and Order of Business Committee –    Magnolia B Room
Credentials Committee –                                 Magnolia D Room

10:00 am to 10:30 am – Chairs Meeting – Empire A Room
10:00 am to 11:00 am – Progressive Meeting – Empire C Room
10:30 am to 11:00 am – Executive Meeting – Empire A Room

11:00 am to 12:00 pm– Regional Caucuses
South East –         Empire A Room
South Central –    Magnolia A Room
South West –       Magnolia C Room
North East –        Empire D Room
North Central –   Magnolia B Room
North West –       Magnolia D Room
Allegheny –         Empire C Room
Philadelphia –      Empire B Room

Noon – STATE COMMITTEE MEETING – Red Room
Nomination, Recommendation & Endorsement Meeting Following General Session

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Best Practice Session – tentative in the Cocoa Suite 3