CHEYENNE - Interested Wyoming residents will have plenty of opportunities to experience the Democratic Convention this week in Denver n if they have the fortitude to brave the crowds.

Free concerts, dozens of Hollywood celebrities and replicas of the Oval Office and Air Force One are among the offerings promised to those who venture into the city, said Rich Grant, communications director for the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The public also may attend for the first time the daily delegate caucuses. Events about climate change, women's issues and regional issues will take place at the Colorado Convention Center. More details can be found on the convention web site.

"There's going to be a lot of hoopla, and it's only 100 miles away," said Grant, adding that information about limited remaining lodging is available at denver.org by clicking on the DNC link.

For those who prefer to watch the convention from their living room, there should be plenty of opportunities there, as well, Grant said.

MSNBC will provide live coverage throughout the day. Morning network news shows will be broadcasting live from the convention and evening news reports should also provide plenty of updates, Grant said.

"It's going to be wildly exciting," Grant added.

n Jared Miller

BREAKOUT

Delegates expect busy week

To the casual TV watcher, the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week may look like a big party punctuated by speeches from high-profile Democrats.

But for the 18 delegates that the Wyoming Democratic Party is sending to Denver, the convention will be a fairly involved, highly structured series of days that will allow the delegates to participate in discussions about issues important to their state.

For Wyoming delegates, the morning begins at 7 a.m. with a two-hour breakfast meeting, which is where delegates get credentials for the day's events and hear speeches by important party members, campaign surrogates and other guests.

From there, they head into Denver for a series of afternoon caucus events on issues important to the Democratic Party.

Delegate and state Sen. Mike Massie, D-Laramie, said some of the most critical discussions of the convention will take place during the afternoon caucuses, some of which are open to the public. A list of topics is available on the DNCC web site.

"To me that is going to be one of the more fascinating parts of the convention," Massie said.

In the evening, delegates will head to the convention headquarters at the Pepsi Center for speeches by prominent Democrats, including Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and others.

Each evening, the delegates will be invited to dozens of parties and gatherings across the city of Denver.

Massie said that while some delegates may stop by the nighttime events, the early mornings and rigorous schedule will probably limit evening socializing.

The actual delegate voting takes place on Wednesday, after a series of nominating and seconding speeches. The presumptive vice presidential candidate will also speak Wednesday evening.

On Thursday night, the convention moves to Invesco Field, where more than 75,000 spectators will watch Sen. Barack Obama, (D-Ill.) accept his party's nomination for president and deliver a major speech.

That event is open to the public, but most of the tickets have been spoken for, according to party officials.

n Jared Miller