DENVER — Covering a political convention is a little like covering a Super Bowl. Thousands of people gather in one place, and not all of them are there for the main event.

Each day of the week builds excitement, with receptions and parties. Celebrities and protestors collide, using the ready-made televised stage.

At the Democratic National Convention, action started before delegates held meetings and caucuses on Monday. On the Sunday before, shoppers deciding which Barack Obama T-shirt best shows commitment and a touch of style shared the pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall with anti-war demonstrators. “No hope in capitalism, disrupt the DNC” read one large sign.

They were trailed by columns of police officers on bicycles and an emergency vehicle with another 10 officers hanging on. The protestors were loud and orderly; the police were silent and conspicuous.

At a welcoming reception hosted by the Colorado Association of Black Journalists, stood the interesting duo of Jocelyn Elder, former Surgeon General in the Clinton administration, and actor Giancarlo Esposito. She spoke about her continuing crusade to improve the sexual health of the nation’s young people, while he talked about his new film, “Gospel Hill,” and its spiritual message.

Esposito later made an appearance at a reception sponsored by the Creative Coalition – an education and advocacy group that focuses on public education and First Amendment rights – and the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Public policy leaders mingled with Spike Lee and Kerry Washington, while the press waited outside for occasional visits from partygoers.

While the cast resembled one at that other media circus, the talk was about something more serious than football.

Rza of Wu-Tang Clan said he thought young voters could make the difference in the election. Actor Matthew Modine gave his own stump speech about America: It’s “not a place, it’s a dream.” The longtime advocate of arts education in the schools would like to see both parties be more outspoken on the issue.

Sunday night brought concerts and dessert receptions, and welcoming speeches from party officials. It was all just backdrop for a week of more substantive panels, on topics from health care to women’s issues.

At a convention that will officially name a candidate for the president of the United States –- unlike a Super Bowl — the outcome is more of a sure thing. But, to strain an analogy past the breaking point, it’s only halftime. Next week, the Republicans will stage their own spectacle, different perhaps in style but not enthusiasm. And in November, much more than a game and bragging rights is at stake.

Notes: A story this year has been young people and the vote, an important part of Barack Obama’s success so far. Jennie Moline, 26. of Richmond, Va., is more politically involved than most. A policy analyst for Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, she wears an “i Vote” T-shirt on the way to the Democratic convention. But she and her 22-year-old sister, Julia, are here on their own time and expense. “I’ll be watching the process,” she said, “and seeing friends from different states.” That’s her idea of a vacation. How does she feel that her boss, once on the short list for the Vice Presidential pick, was not chosen? “I’m not going to comment on that,” she said.

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Elayne Burke has consulted for the DNC and worked for the Clinton administration. Denver is her fourth convention. It would seem that little could excite her by now. But Burke, 40, of Bristol, R.I., especially remembers Boston in 2004. She took Barack and Michelle Obama to the stage before he delivered the speech that most agreed began his national rise. As she listened to it, she said, “Everybody knew.” Burke hopes she is assigned the same task this year. She thinks it would be a good sign. “Consistency,” you know.