AUGUSTA – Political conventions are known for their hospitality suites, in which politicians hobnob over drinks with activists and potential supporters. At the Democratic State Convention this coming weekend, there will be a new twist to the informal get-togethers.

Because so many youthful delegates are attending, leaders plan to reserve one of the nine hospitality suites as a chemical-free area for the under-21 crowd, party Executive Director Arden Manning said.

The under-21 crowd numbers 288 – far more than usual – among the 3,400 elected during last February’s caucuses to attend the Friday-Sunday convention at the Augusta Civic Center, Manning said.

Among the young delegates who’ve been stirred into action by the most compelling presidential race they’ve seen is 17-year-old Noel Madore of Turner.

The Leavitt High School student said he wasn’t really sure what being a delegate entailed when he attended his town caucus last winter. Since then, Madore, a supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, has volunteered time for the party while his anticipation for the convention grows.

Organizers expect such a large turnout of delegates in general that they’ve had to arrange to use a half-dozen sites away from the civic center to hold convention-related meetings.

Sam Shapiro, a former state treasurer who has attended every state convention for the last half century, plans to go to this one as well. Shapiro recalls waves of excitement for candidates outside of the party’s mainstream that spiked participation in past conventions, but added, “it’s never been anything like this.”

In 1988, young activists rallied around Jesse Jackson, who finished second to Michael Dukakis in the Democratic caucuses. Four years later, it was Jerry Brown, who won the state Democratic caucuses even though Bill Clinton went on to win the state and presidency in November, Shapiro recalled.

But he said this year is different. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama “has just generated excitement and enthusiasm and hope for the future, and they bought it.”

At their caucuses Feb. 10, throngs of Maine Democrats fired up by the presidential race slogged through the snow to elect 3,400 delegates representing their favorite candidates to the state convention. Those delegates this weekend will elect Maine’s 24 delegates to the party’s national convention, which will be Aug. 25-28 in Denver.

Obama won the Maine caucuses handily, and the party apportioned 15 delegates for him to Clinton’s 9.

But Clinton’s and Obama’s national delegate numbers are subject to change at the state convention, based on who attends, Manning emphasized. While leaders must prepare for all 3,400 delegates to turn out, a more realistic number is around 3,000, he said.

Saturday night’s keynote speech by Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s second-highest ranking Democrat, is expected to be another draw.

Young activists bitten by the politics bug have been seeing signs of heavy participation while working in party headquarters preparing for the convention.

Sixteen-year-old Will Nelligan of Portland, who has been helping to make temporary housing arrangements for delegates, opted for his political assignment as part of a school internship program. Nelligan said many of his friends have taken a sudden interest in politics due to the compelling presidential race, but that’s not so with him.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in politics,” said the Casco Bay High School junior.

Danielle Jackson, a 21-year-old Syracuse University political science major from North Yarmouth, said she was fired up during the last election cycle when she turned old enough to vote. Maine law allows 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they turn 18 by the general election.

“I just love politics. My dad took me to vote with him every year,” Jackson said as she prepared delegate credential packages.

Realizing heavy interest by young voters, state Democratic Party leaders are going to the social networking Web site Facebook to organize young voters, said Manning.

During the convention, delegates must attend to more routine party business including approving a platform, adopting rules, and electing national party committee members. In the latter event, Rita Moran of Winthrop and Maggie Allen of Madison are competing for committeewoman, and sitting committeeman Sam Spencer is unopposed.

There will be plenty of speeches, including advocacy on behalf of Clinton and Obama. In Maine’s race for Senate, the party’s two candidates, Rep. Tom Allen and Tom Ledue, will give remarks, as will Gov. John Baldacci and Rep. Mike Michaud, who’s seeking re-election to his 2nd District seat.

On the opening day, all six candidates for Maine’s 1st District congressional nomination will give speeches. They include Michael Brennan, Adam Cote, Mark Lawrence, Steve Meister, Chellie Pingree and Ethan Strimling.

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On the Net:

Maine Democratic Convention: www.mainedems.org/Convention2008.aspx

Democratic National Convention: www.demconvention.com