It was a high-end extravaganza in the Bitterroot tonight, as the national Republican spotlight shined in Hamilton.

Former Massachusetts governor and current presidential candidate Mitt Romney dined with Republican leaders and donors at a party hosted by stock market guru Charles Schwab.

The bill is steep, with a $25,0000-a-plate pricetag for the dinner. Romney made no public appearance in the Bitterroot Valley.

It was a hot afternoon when we caught up with work crews setting up a massive tent and catering supplies at the Daly Mansion.

Staffers treated Romney's visit like any other private client. April Johnson told NBC Montana she couldn't give us any details.

Nearby airport workers say planes carrying guests could land here, but they had no word they would.

Ravalli County has a good share of Republicans, but Wednesday was a usual day for everybody. Nobody stopped working. It's haying season. Alex Klein was working in his field.

"I moved my family to Montana because I wanted to be amongst constitutional conservatives that were looking to turn this country around and get it back on the right track," Klein told us. "Romney's going to have to be the guy who does that."

Not many Republicans are attending the dinner, but many support it. However, critics say it is a presumptuous spread that disconnects Romney from ordinary people.

"It's more like the wealthy taking care of the wealthy," said Ravalli County Democratic chair John Meakin. "Doesn't sound like this is anything that's going to involve, or even consider, what just plain folks on the street need and want."

We caught up with a Stevensville family who said they didn't know much about the dinner. Ashley Tintinger isn't critical. She says if you have that kind of money it's your choice to spend it any way you like, but it's out of her league.

"I have four kids and a house to pay for.  No, not in my budget by any means," Tintinger said.

The Daly Mansion's grounds were groomed and prepped for a beautiful dinner. A handful of protesters worked the gathering at a distance, picketing the event throughout the day.