Delayed parade timely for campaigners

Politicians love a parade, even if it's a month late, and particularly when it's two days before an election.

That partly explains the popularity of yesterday's long-delayed Columbus Day parade among those who hope tomorrow marks their entry into -- or continuation in -- a Boston City Hall post.

Nearly every City Council candidate attended, alternately shivering and sweating in the misty rain along the winding, 2-mile parade route from Government Center to the North End.

Mayor Thomas Menino led the march, while his opponent, City Councilor Maura Hennigan, was near the end.

All eight candidates for four at-large seats walked the route, shaking hands with thousands of bystanders.

Candidates included incumbents Felix Arroyo, Michael Flaherty, and Stephen J. Murphy, and challengers Sam Yoon, Patricia White, John Connolly, Matt O'Malley, and Ed Flynn.

''Usually we're very lucky with the politicians showing up," said Daniel Toscano, a parade organizer. ''It worked out for them because it's two days before elections."

The original parade was planned for Oct. 9, but it was rained out and rescheduled for Oct. 11. That date, too, was rained out. They couldn't hold it the following weekend because another parade was scheduled. Next, it was set for Oct. 23, but a northeaster popped up, packing more threat than punch. Organizers considered holding the Columbus Day parade on Halloween, but decided against it because of a possible revolt by children planning to attend the North End's annual Halloween parade.

Nov. 6, weeks after the Oct. 10 holiday, then became ''the day."

No one seemed to mind, though it did bring up a few chuckles.

''Oh, this was for Columbus Day? I thought it was for Veteran's Day," said University of Massachusetts student Roy Gould, 47, of Boston. ''I like the idea that they're making up for something. . . . It does remind me that we're tending toward an amalgamation of our holidays. See? The Christmas lights are already up."

The candidates eagerly canvassed the crowds and passed out candy, nail files, and ''vote for me" postcards.

They all wore suits. None wore gym shoes, not even Hennigan, who raced through the parade route to catch up with her car, which was plastered with campaign paraphernalia.

''I left Chinatown 20 minutes ago and ran the whole parade," Hennigan said, cheeks flushed. ''This is my marathon."

Murphy modestly smiled at his applause.

''It's the frenetic last couple of days," he said. ''The last hand to shake, the last person to persuade."

White said it was her 10th parade this year. ''We're all working off the pizza and doughnuts we have eaten during the campaign," she said.

Flynn hit the streets with a baby stroller and his 10-week-old, chubby-cheeked son, Stephen.

''He's nice and warm and has on his sleeper and hat," said Flynn, who deftly steered the carriage on and off sidewalks without waking the baby. ''He's gotten me some votes."

Matt O'Malley swore that he shook 4.6 million hands, with a margin of error of, oh, about 600,000.

''We're in the 11th hour," he said, standing with other politicians at the end of the parade route.

Patricia Johnson, of Charlestown, wanted her grandson to see the parade. And Eliot, a few days shy of turning 2, was happy to be outside.

''This is better than staying in," said Johnson, while Eliot ate the last bit of a sandwich and looked ready for dessert. ''Say goodbye, Eliot. We've got to go get a cannoli."

Adrienne P. Samuels can be reached at asamuels@globe.com