But even before the big convention speeches and rallies begin today, Utah's delegation - which includes 28 official delegates and an entourage of alternates, guests, staff and spouses - mingled with Democrats from throughout the nation at a series of posh parties.
Delegate Emily Rushton and her husband, Corey, party-hopped until they ended up at an MTV bash.
A bunch of Utahns hung out with other Western Democrats at a barbecue in an art gallery while another group, including state Sen. Pat Jones, enjoyed the musical satire of Planet Washington.
The Democratic National Committee kicked off the official convention events Sunday with an interfaith gathering, complete with multiple gospel choirs and readings from various religious texts.
"They stressed that we need to take care of our families first and then our neighbors, the nation and the world," said Jones, who went to the event with former state Sens. Patrice Arent and Karen Hale and U. of U. law professor Erika George. "It was just refreshing to be among people who felt the same way that I do."
It is a treat for Utah Democrats.
At home, they often are shunted by the dominant Republicans. But the next four days are a chance to revel in progressive politics and bask in party unity.
They were in good spirits Sunday, uniformly praising Obama's selection of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate.
"He is like a regular guy and that is what I like about him," said Jan Lovett, an Obama delegate who works at the University of Utah's information technology office.
Lisa Allcott, a Hillary Clinton delegate, called Biden "a great choice" because of his foreign relations experience but also because he is a Catholic. In the primaries, Catholics preferred Clinton over Obama by significant margins and Allcott expects Biden to help Democrats shore up that vote.
The good feelings should continue tonight as the thousands of national delegates descend on the Pepsi Center to hear from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Obama's wife, Michelle.
In years past, national Democrats placed Utah's delegation about as far away from the podium as possible, next to the groups from America Samoa and the Virgin Islands - a visual reminder of how little the overwhelmingly conservative state plays into normal Democratic strategies.
But the Obama campaign mixed up the standard seating arrangement.
This year Utah's delegation got a significant upgrade, placed in the first five rows off the convention floor to the left side of the stage, where they can rub shoulders with the delegates from other Obama long shots South Dakota and West Virginia.
Three major networks - ABC, NBC and CBS - will broadcast live from the convention for one hour beginning at 8 p.m. MSNBC, CNN and PBS will telecast three hours of live convention coverage, beginning at 7 p.m.; Fox News will begin its broadcast at 7:45 p.m. for 90 minutes.
