The official opening reception, on the sweltering plaza behind the state Capitol, featured nonalcoholic drinks and plates filled with balls of chicken cordon bleu. The finger food was followed by a Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert on Temple Square.

State Rep. Ty McCartney's alternative itinerary included paragliding - cut short by a blustery summer rainstorm - off of Point of the Mountain, drinking beers under his parents' gazebo, dinner at Bambara and cocktails at the Tavernacle, the secular downtown club that plays off the religious building with a similar name.

Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Veon chose McCartney's spur-of-the-moment trip across the valley over the more organized social. "You feel more comfortable, more welcome," Veon said.

The Salt Lake City Democrat's competing party might seem a figurative thumbing-of-the-nose to the event Utah legislators have been planning for a year. But McCartney says he merely was trying to show out-of-state lawmakers a side of Utah not described in tour guides. His event drew eight visiting lawmakers; the formal event drew hundreds.

"We've fallen short in showing legislators the diversity of Utah," McCartney said. "Showing some aspects about the culture are great. However, I don't think that should be the only focus of the social activities and the conference."

McCartney and other minority members of the bipartisan host committee have complained about the parochial approach of Utah lawmakers - most of whom are nondrinking members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - to a party for legislators from around the country.

The problem hinged on locating the opening social on state government property where lawmakers prohibit the storage and use of alcohol. After rejecting other locations at Salt Lake City's Library Square, Gallivan Plaza and the LDS Church's Conference Center, lawmakers briefly considered - then dropped - the idea of changing the Capitol Preservation Board's alcohol policy to allow caterers to serve wine and beer.

So hundreds of legislators, staff and vendors baked in the newly landscaped garden surrounded by state office buildings Tuesday night, sipping sodas, lemonade and water. Woven beehive and sunflower centerpieces adorned the tables. The Beatles, Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet wafted from under a disc jockey's awning.

"Because of the heat, a beer does come to mind," said Lee Dixon, squinting in the sun. "It would have been nice and cool."

Jeffrey Adler, Dixon's colleague at Virginia-based Netscan Publishing, asked one of the caterers where the beer was when he arrived. The waiter told him, "It's on its way."

"It turns out he was not telling the truth," Adler said.

But others at the Capitol party said liquor laws in their conservative states would not have been much different for a party on government property.

"I'd love a local beer," said Robert Jackson, a state senator from Mississippi. "It's disappointing. But it would be the same in Mississippi."

And Utah lawmakers downplayed the controversy. Utah is getting high marks for its hospitality and organization, they say. Besides, the closing social at the Kearns Olympic Oval will include wine and beer.

Host Committee Co-Chairman Pete Knudson was matter-of-fact about the opening "dry party."

"That might be a disappointment to some. But to others, it's fine," the Brigham City Republican said.

Salt Lake City Democratic Rep. Roz McGee, another host committee member, sort of agreed. Serving alcohol "would have been a hospitable thing to do," McGee said. "But the committee chose to do otherwise. And in choosing this venue, we had no other choice.

"It's hardly going to be noticed."

Or, perhaps like McCartney's roving troupe, conventiongoers simply went elsewhere to imbibe. Dixon and Adler planned to skip the choir performance for an invitation-only party at Port O'Call, another private club downtown.

nwarburton@sltrib.com

rwalsh@sltrib.com