Celebrating with the community for the Democratic Convention in Charlotte

It's CarolinaFest 2012!, Labor Day weekend and the Democratic National Convention all rolled into one big celebration.

This is what democracy (and Democrats) looks like'a multi-cultural throng under a Big Tent coming together on Labor Day Weekend to kick-off the Democratic National Convention 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

I'm stressing community because political conventions, with all the hoopla, hats and banners are usually participated in by party delegates, along with hordes of media.  

It is very apt that the kick-off is on Labor Day weekend, for the party that is standing up for unions, and those of us who work are coming together to plan and fight for four more years for Democrats.

The city of Charlotte and the DNC have worked hard to make this an event that embraces community participation.

Thousands wait for community credentials to President Obama's acceptance speech

CHARLOTTE--Thousands of people across the state are getting their hands on community credentials to take part in the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Starting Saturday morning, folks were able to get a pass for the September 6 event, to see President Obama and Vice President Biden accept their party's nomination at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte.

For more than 12 hours, Steven Grimes and his friend Sheila Moore waited to be the first ones to get their hands on community credentials.

"We got here at 9:30 and we tried to get here so we can make sure we can get a ticket to go to the convention because we don't want to miss it,' said Grimes.

The duo slept in the car for much of the night. Then like many others, they pulled out their Obama gear and some lawn chairs to claim their spot in line.

"I don't want to miss this for the world! I made sure I took my vacation a couple a weeks ago so I could be here for this,' said Grimes.

(Continue reading below the fold.)