Democrats to get one big party in Denver

DENVER, June 5 (UPI) -- The Denver host committee for the Democratic National Convention has decided to throw one big party to welcome delegates to save money.

The committee had been planning to hold more than 20 smaller gatherings to welcome the 56 delegations from states and territories. But the long primary fight among Democrats has hampered fundraising, the Denver Post reports.

Chris Lopez, a spokesman for the host committee, suggested that a single party might also help build Democratic unity.

"It's more an effort to invite all the delegations into one really cool

event," he said.

Friends of New Orleans, a group formed to raise money for the city after Hurricane Katrina, is sponsoring the party and a concert afterward.

Wendy Aiello, a marketing and public relations consultant in Denver, said delegates will also get invitations to hundreds of private parties. She said she has heard some griping from Denver leaders because the host committee had planned parties at landmark venues like the zoo.