King, the only Black candidate in a field of eight, predicted at the parade, "We're gonna win."

King, a former state representative from Boston, spent the weekend campaigning in different parts of the city, moving from a soccer match in a largely Hispanic area of Dorchester to a chic wine and cheese gathering at the Emmanuel Church on Newbury St., where he picked up the endorsements of two women's groups.

'Gimme that ole rainbow spirit.' 'Mel King para alcalde.'  --Chants of King Supporters

Along the parade route, Finnegan was heckled by shouts of 'Downtown Dave.'

King toured the game, shaking hands with onlookers, many of whom said they did not know of today's election. In an interview at the field, King said his final push could make a difference. "Obviously if it didn't matter I wouldn't be here," he explained.

At the "Women's Celebration for Mel King." Janet Ferome, president of the Boston chapter of the National Organization for Women, called King "a candidate for all the people" and added. "It's a man's world unless women vote."

King sat quietly in the back of the church with his wife and rarely smiled as several women's community leaders and poet Denise Levertov praised him.

The candidate, who said he is trying to smile more, appeared downright jubilant at the parade, where he was followed by about 30 supporters, who alternately chanted. "Gimme that ole rainbow spirit"--a reference to the King campaign's description of its voting coalition--and "Mel King para alcalde [for mayor]."

Near the end of the parade, Anthony Dagliuca, a short, elderly man toting a beer can, ran up to King on the street and enthusiastically greeted him. However, he said afterwards that he was planning to vote for DiCara because "he is smarter than all of them."

Flynn spent Sunday working areas in which he has already shown strength.

At a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post in largely Irish Mission Hill. Flynn was praised by a succession of local leaders.

Neighborhood resident Benny Sullivan drew a lengthy metaphor between his own marathon running and Flynn's race for mayor, adding "Ray's done his road work."

Sullivan urged the audience of 70 to vote for Flynn because he had a "conviction towards your God, your community, and your family."

Mission Hill Hispanic leader Carmen Pola said at the meeting that Flynn's work on the hill's main housing project, which is 70 percent Hispanic, won her support, adding. "If he was racist none of us would support him."

In an interview at the half, Flynn said that "many people have made up their minds," and added that he was conflict to continue putting forth his "issues and positions" in the final days.