Gulp! Pepsi shines as star
Public reaction to arena changes: 'This is beautiful'
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 22, 2008 at 7:55 a.m.
DNC organizers give the public a sneak peek inside the Pepsi Center on Friday. "It's incredible. The transformation is incredible," said Jairo Barsallo, of Denver.
Brooke Parker, 5, a student from Commerce City, sits on dad Mark's lap and takes photos of all the stars on the DNC stage. The four-day convention begins Monday night.
Jairo and Gilda Barsallo stood before the Democratic National Convention's twinkling red, white and blue stage Friday, put their arms around each other and smiled for the camera.
They were among the first people to see what the Pepsi Center-turned-convention hall looks like after weeks of construction.
"This is beautiful," said Jairo Barsallo, of Denver, shortly after his daughter snapped the couple's picture.
"It's incredible.
The transformation is incredible."
The DNC kicks off Monday, but organizers gave the public a sneak peek of the building Friday.
Gov. Bill Ritter and a group of dignitaries were the first inside the hall around 6 a.m.
At 8:30 a.m., more than 1,000 area students sat in chairs that will be used by delegates and participated in "Convention 101."
The primer on the DNC included a practice roll call vote.
A VIP tour came next, followed by the public open house.
More than 600 workers have been on-site for several months.
The television news networks have moved into suites surrounding the stage, and seats have been assigned to each delegation.
Colorado and Illinois, Sen. Barack Obama's home state, have the best seats, front and center on the floor.
But the star of the show is the stage, podium and soaring backdrop, which convention officials had promised would be "unlike anything you've seen before."
The stage is 70 feet wide and sits just more than 6 feet off the concrete floor.
There are three 103-foot plasma video screens behind the stage, where each night conventioneers will see sights and sounds from across the country. Among them will be voters asking questions via video of people inside the hall.
Nearly 700 lights hang from the ceiling.
The podium - lit up today in blue - is retractable and can be adjusted to the height of the speaker.
Georgina Tenorio, an eighth- grader at North Middle School, said she felt special being one of the first people inside the building, which could hold the future president.
"I got amazed when I came in," she said. "It's not the Pepsi Center anymore.
It looks presidential, with all the stars and colors."
The four-day political fest will draw about 50,000 delegates, journalists and political power players - and protesters, too.
The capper is Obama's Thursday night speech at Invesco Field at Mile High, where he's expected to become the first black to accept a presidential nomination.
Alan Gathright contributed to this report
About the convention hall:
600 workers transformed the arena.
5,000 seats were removed to make way for the stage and media.
* The stage is 70 feet wide and more than 6 feet off the concrete floor.
31,000 square feet of carpet was laid.
* Three 103-foot plasma video screens behind the stage provide more than 8,000 square feet of video-projection surface.
700 lights hang from the ceiling.
70 percent of the set is made from reusable or recycled materials.
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August 22, 2008
8:59 a.m.
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Jonjonmon writes:
Although I'm republican and definitely will vote McCain, I must say that the stage is quit impressive. I'm sure it will meet Obama's image just fine. I wonder how the republican stage looks
August 22, 2008
9:11 a.m.
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RJS07 writes:
that looks pretty environmentally friendly and real green...glad to see there won't be much of a carbon footprint there
August 22, 2008
12:46 p.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
I must say, it appears impressive!
It looks much like the cover of a science fiction book. Oh, it is kind of like science fiction.... At least the fiction part fits well.
August 22, 2008
12:48 p.m.
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EBone writes:
What a great stage to tell lies from. I'm sure the Republican's stage will be set up just as appropriately to tell their lies from as well.
August 22, 2008
1:52 p.m.
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Who_Me writes:
What happened to the last story on this, you know, the one where people were hacking on what a circus the stage looked like? No need to wonder where the RMN stands on candidates now.
August 22, 2008
2:08 p.m.
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peter303 writes:
Most interesting is there only one lighted international-news booths: "Al Jalzera". All the major US networks are there. Foreign press may just have individual reporters.
August 22, 2008
2:22 p.m.
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Barron writes:
Goodness, there's a lot of bitterness. you people seriously need to get over yourselves - this really isn't anything to get all bitter over...
August 22, 2008
2:59 p.m.
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Rickenator writes:
What will the Republican stage look like?? Wall to wall pictures of McCain's houses/condo's with the inscription - - "Do you have Five Mill Yet?"
August 22, 2008
3:11 p.m.
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benn writes:
Pretty cool
August 22, 2008
3:11 p.m.
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kc02 writes:
Hey! It looks just like the Scientology Award show!
August 22, 2008
3:17 p.m.
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KnoWhatYoureTalkinAbout writes:
C'mon DNC HATERS, is this all you got? Surely you've got something that's "Fair & Balanced."
August 22, 2008
3:42 p.m.
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ou8one2 writes:
Perfect for Brittney Spears concert, Paris Hlton party, or a BO/DNC.
August 22, 2008
8:28 p.m.
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Uno writes:
Just think of all the hungry and sick children the money spent on this could of helped. Democrats sure know their priorities. 103 foot plasma video screen? Nice touch to watch the freakshow on a big screen.
August 22, 2008
9:29 p.m.
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LuvAmerica writes:
Bright colors, loud noises. Uno, the DNC is trying to appeal to you somehow. Logic & reason obviously isn't going to get there.
August 22, 2008
9:32 p.m.
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LuvAmerica writes:
And the stage is real pretty too! Unlike McCain's wife. Whew, what a problem. Hard to support family values when your wife has been in a car wreck.
August 22, 2008
9:38 p.m.
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Shadow writes:
They had just better get it back into shape for Hockey season!!!!
August 23, 2008
7:31 a.m.
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ham writes:
All they need is a giant robot on the stage, and Tom Cruise bounding up the stairs. Will Obama get a giant gold medallion on his coronation?
August 23, 2008
8:12 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
Looks like something out of a science fiction rag!!! Take me to your leader!! Yikes!!
August 23, 2008
9:04 a.m.
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Gonzopozo writes:
Donations paid for all that?
August 23, 2008
10:47 a.m.
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dummas writes:
the stage is pretty impressive but, i guess still not good enough for obama. too bad the all this money went for a 3 day political event for a party that's supposed to be for the little guy and their leader will not even speak in front of that stage. who do i make the check out to?
August 23, 2008
11:40 a.m.
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sawzallartist writes:
uno IQ points said:
Just think of all the hungry and sick children the money spent on this could of helped
I say that same thing as I drive by all these huge churches.
August 23, 2008
12:37 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
I saw the DNC set up on Fox News..pretty impressive, and Fox News seem to thinks so too and were pleased.
Really beautiful..Denver is really giving everyone the red carpet
treatment, and thats good for Denver. Lets see the end results
when it's all over. I hope everything turns out ok, because what
ever happens will go down in history, whether good or bad.