WEST NEWBURY — For Nancy Weinberg, nothing compared to this week.

Weinberg, 58, of Newbury, traveled to Denver, Colo., to the Democratic National Convention.

She watched from a seat high in Invesco Field Thursday night as history was made and Barack Obama became the first black man to accept the party's nomination for president in front of an estimated crowd of 80,000.

A seasoned member of the Democratic Committee, Weinberg has been to several state conventions and the 2004 national gathering in Boston.

But this time was different.

"Nothing compares to this. It's just so exciting," she said yesterday. "It was just a very inspiring week. It was really fabulous. I am moved by the entire week."

West Newbury's Kathy Pasquina, 64, agreed the week was memorable. She celebrated her birthday far from home and her family but said she couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift than watching the events of the week unfold.

"It's really been an awesome experience," Pasquina said.

She waited in line outside of Invesco Field, the Denver Broncos football stadium, with thousands of others eager to see the presidential candidate make history.

"It was worth it; it was certainly worth it," Pasquina said. "I've never seen such excitement."

The applause was loud, and the speech caused individuals to hug each other — even if they were strangers, she said.

"It just makes you feel like such a part of history," she said.

Weinberg said Obama's speech was beyond what she even expected, noting that she was glad he included specific plans in his 45-minute speech.

Obama vowed to cut taxes for nearly all working-class families, end the war in Iraq and break America's dependence on Mideast oil within a decade. He suggested at least some common ground was possible on abortion, gun control, immigration and gay marriage.

"It wasn't just a feel-good speech," Weinberg said, calling Obama "honest" and "unapologetic."

Obama's acceptance speech came at the end of a week's worth of speeches, workshops and presentations for the Democrats. The convention also heard from Obama's running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware; Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, Obama's former opponent; former President Bill Clinton; and Obama's wife, Michelle, among others.

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who is fighting brain cancer, made a surprise visit earlier in the week and addressed the convention crowd, voicing his support for Obama.

Pasquina called Kennedy's speech "emotional."

"I don't think there was a dry eye in the house," she said.

"It was thrilling," Weinberg said. "We were all really excited. The whole convention hall just exploded."

The message she will take away from Obama's speech is one of change, Pasquina said. She noted how Obama portrayed John McCain's similarities to President George Bush and delivered a message of "the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington because the American people demand it."

"Eight is enough," Pasquina said, echoing Obama. "They are tied together."

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.