People from throughout the country are in Denver for an event with loud music, flashy decorations, funny hats, colorful signs, noisemakers, cameras and balloons. They're focusing mainly on politics, though the second word in their group's name - the Democratic Party - seems appropriate for the televised festivities.

While plenty of silly stuff (Adults Gone Wild!) accompanies the Democratic National Convention running Monday through Thursday, the stakes are big and serious. Party leaders and delegates selected by voters in state primaries and caucuses this year will formally nominate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois as their presidential candidate and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his vice-presidential.
They'll try to earn more votes than Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who'll announce his running mate before Republicans hold their convention next week in Minneapolis.

Each party has a nationally broadcast convention every four years, but this week history is being made. The father of two young daughters who's the center of attention is the first African-American nominated for president by a major party. Obama and his vice-presidential running mate will accept nomination Thursday night in front of more than 75,000 people in a free, open event at the Denver Broncos' football stadium. Introductory speakers include former President Bill Clinton.

Candidate says: "I reject a politics that is based solely on racial identity, gender identity, sexual orientation or victimhood generally." - Barack Obama

Who entertains: Performers scheduled to appear at the convention or related events include Kanye West, will.i.am, Fergie, Jakob Dylan, the Black Eyed Peas. Fall Out Boy. A "Rock to Win" concert Tuesday night features Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright, Thelma Houston and Margaret Cho at a Denver auditorium.

Journalist says: "The parties get four days of free air time, at least on cable, to showcase their candidate, the running mate and all its campaign themes. If hordes of journalists are going to go to these things, they ought to provide a dose of skepticism and some behind-the-scenes reporting on what is unfolding. Otherwise, what's the point?" - Howard Kurz, Washington Post media writer