For their big finale tonight, delegates to the Democratic National Convention have moved from the Pepsi Center about a mile away to Invesco Field, home of the Denver Broncos—and they’ve been joined by about 40,000 of their closest friends.

For the first time since 1960 when John Kennedy did it in The Coliseum in Los Angeles, a presidential candidate will accept his party’s nomination at a football field when Barack Obama does it tonight.

Sheryl Crow and Stevie Wonder kept the crowd entertained between the warmup acts of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former vice president Al Gore.

SIDEBAR: My major annoyance with CNN’s coverage tonight is that it covered Crow’s entire set but allowed its pundits to chit-chat all over Kaine’s remarks. You know, Kaine was one of the top two or three candidates for Obama’s running mate; it might be a good idea for us to listen to what the guy has to say.

Then again, Kaine’s remarks focused on faith. Maybe CNN didn’t think we needed to hear them. END SIDEBAR

Richardson delivered a memorable line after launching into an attack on John McCain and his “flip-flops” on issues like the Bush tax cuts, interrogation techniques and energy independence:

“America is ready for change, but the only thing Sen. McCain has changed is his mind,“ Richardson said ... “McCain may pay hundreds of dollars for his shoes, but we are the ones who will pay for his flip-flops.“

Not surprisingly, that line met with enthusiastic approval.

Gore’s remarks centered on—what else?—the “planetary emergency” of global warming. He, too, took some shots at McCain, saying he’s adopted many of President Bush’s positions on major issues.

“I believe in recycling, but that’s ridiculous,“ Gore said.

More later ... Obama is taking the stage.