Ladies and Gentlemen, This is Your DNC Party hosted by The Soetoro Family

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A stream of luxury corporate jets arrived in Denver over the weekend, bringing corporate executives, lobbyists and their friends to the Democratic National Convention. Among those on board was Sen. John Kerry, whose office said he would reimburse his corporate host for the cost of the flight as a campaign expense.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., arrived on a chartered flight Sunday. Because he is in Denver for political purposes, the campaign will pick up the tab for his one-way private jet trip. The cost? $7,223.43, according to the senator’s office.

An ice sculpture outside the Frederic C. Hamilton Building pays homage to some of the convention’s largest contributors. More than 140 corporations contributed the bulk of the $50 million raised to pay for the convention.

Big donors to the Democratic Party were rewarded with perks, including special access to the convention podium and private meetings with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean.

Shrimp appetizers were just some of the hors d’oeuvres that welcomed the top donors to the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Rooms there are now going for up to $2,000 a night.

Denver’s top chefs are busy preparing extravagant meals for attendees at the Democratic National Convention. “The demand is over the top, you’ve never seen anything like this,” said chef Kevin Taylor, of the Denver restaurant Palette.

This party at the Denver Art Museum, sponsored by a prominent law and lobbying firm, welcomed VIP guests including Representative Henry Waxman and Senator Carl Levin — but no cameras were allowed inside.

Steve Farber, the co-chair and chief fundraiser for the Denver host committee, is also president of a law and lobbying firm. He told ABC’s Brian Ross that he disagrees with Obama’s stated position against lobbyists and special interests.

New ethics rules ban food that is served with a fork and knife, but fancy finger food, shown here, is allowed to be passed, so long as no one is sitting down.

Also allowed under the new ethics rules, a free round of golf for a congressman with lobbyists and union officials, as long as it’s organized as a charity event.

Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. takes a swing at a  golf course in denver

Fred Baron, the former finance chairman for John Edwards’ presidential campaign who helped hide Edwards’ one-time mistress, was seen Tuesday at a private luncheon for top party donors and key senators.

Wealthy donors to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., known as the “Pelosi 100,” attend a private, lavish party Monday night in the penthouse suite of the Denver Performing Arts Center.

The Pelosi party, for donors “who contribute and raise $100,000 in personal funds,” featured performances by Tony Bennett, John Legend and James Taylor.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N. J., told ABC News’ Brian Ross with a smile that it is his “duty” to attend the parties. “Of course, you must visit, make sure that the food they serve is OK , that it passes the taste test and the liquor is the right vintage. Other than that, it’s one’s responsibility,” said the senator.

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