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Do you want to be there in person when Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Party’s nomination for a second term as president of the United States of America?

The Democratic Party will hold its presidential nominating convention at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, on Sept. 4, 5, and 6. On the third night of the convention, Thursday, Sept. 6, President Barack Obama will accept his party’s nomination for a second term and deliver his acceptance speech.

In attendance will be delegates and alternates sent to the convention for the purpose of nominating the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates; party officials overseeing the process; and the party’s candidates for an array of offices across the nation looking to be part of what they and their fellow Democrats hope will be a successful campaign season. Media from around the world will also be present to report on, analyze, record and preserve this phase of the quadrennial campaign for the highest office in the land.

The ranks of those attending the convention could include as many as 100 Union County residents who take advantage of an opportunity offered by the Union County Democratic Party to attend the convention the night Obama accepts the party’s nomination.

“We have requested 100 tickets to the convention,” Union County Democratic Party Chair Ann Stevens said Monday. “Interest in attending the convention has been high so we’ve ordered 100 tickets to give those interested in attending the opportunity to do so. The tickets are free, but we need them to call us or contact us via email because we need to know immediately who plans to go. So please call or email us ASAP.”

Stevens said those whose travel to the convention from Union County will not be going as delegates or alternates or in any other official capacity.

“We will not be participating in the convention itself,” Stevens said. “We will just be there when he accepts the nomination and gives his acceptance speech.”

Stevens said the tickets will be free but there will be a charge of $20 per person to cover the cost of transportation. She said everyone who travels to the convention will do so aboard chartered buses because no personal vehicles will be allowed at the stadium because of security concerns. Plans are for those attending courtesy of the Union County Democratic Party to travel with those attending courtesy of the Spartanburg County Democratic Party.

The historic nature of the convention and its location, were reasons cited by Stevens in urging Union County residents to attend.

“History is being made, and it’s happening in a city near us,” Stevens said. “This is the experience of a lifetime and may be the only opportunity people in Union County have to be present for a presidential nomination.”

If you want to attend the Democratic National Convention, call the Union County Democratic Party, 103 E. Main St., Union, at 427-6281, 427-6887, or 424-9288 or email at aste201@bellsouth.net.