ST. PETER — When asked what his parade-walking strategy was, it took Al Franken a minute to realize something.

“You know, I’ve sat at a lot of parades, but this is the first one I’ve actually been in. I guess I don’t have a strategy.”

Franken, former Saturday Night Live star, current radio talk show host and supporter of congressional candidate Tim Walz, quickly learned his parade style would need a little work.

As the parade began, Franken began talking politics and joking with spectators. To an older couple, sitting under a shade tree, who didn’t seem too impressed with his Democratic political leanings, Franken said: “Well, thanks for sitting here. I know it’s a lot of work.”

For fans, Franken signed some autographs and talked up Walz.

Then, Franken looked up to realize he was already nearly two blocks behind the dozens of volunteers in the Walz contingent and he sprinted to catch up.

The St. Peter Fourth of July parade was a big venue for virtually all political campaigns with ties to the area. From county commissioners to state legislative and congressional candidates, campaigns used area parades as the official campaign season kickoff.

Republican U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht, who is being challenged by Walz, said the parades are a way to say hello to constituents, but he knows they aren’t too exited about serious politicking at this time of year.

“I hate to admit it, but after 400 or so parades I realize they don’t come out to see politicians.”

Gutknecht has picked up one good tactic from years of parade participation. He’s dropped off at the end of the parade route about an hour before it starts and walks his way to the parade line-up area, chatting with spectators at a more leisurely pace than he can during the parade.

“One thing you don’t want to do is hold up the parade. You don’t want to irritate people.”

Gutknecht said some people do want to talk politics, even in early July, with the election four months away. “The first gentleman I met said, ‘Gil, you have to do something about illegal immigration.’ ”

Gutknecht said he heard a variety of opinions on the war from some Marines at the parade, and heard about gas prices. He said Iraq and immigration seem to be the top issues now. “But you never know what it might be by this fall. It can change.

Walz, a Democrat, Mankato high school teacher and retired Army National Guard sergeant major, said the top issues he hears are health care, the war, and, “The need for a change in the way government operates.”

Walz’s parade style is energetic as he dashes from side to side with a bull-horn in his hand, giving quick speeches to small groups of spectators. “I don’t want passive interaction. I give little stump speeches, they hear a little of my message and hopefully they go to my Web site and learn more,” Walz said.

Franken, who has been helping Walz and other state Democrats, is expected to run against U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman in 2008.

Mark Piepho, a veteran campaigner who is running for the open state Senate seat being vacated by John Hottinger, was walking with his contingent of supporters behind Gutknecht’s group. Piepho, a Republican, said he’s noticed one change in parades and politicians over the years.

“It used to be you and your wife and maybe someone in a car following you,” Piepho said. “Now we all have the big groups with us. There’s more of a production, just like everything in politics, I guess.”

Kathy Sheran, the Democrat running against Piepho for the open seat, was walking with her supporter behind the Walz/Franken contingent.

Sheran said summer parades are a good way for candidates to introduce themselves and to begin generating interest in the political issues that will be debated more vigorously as the summer goes on.

“Walking in the parades, it’s a celebration of the election process.”

St. Peter resident Sue Burum said she, for one, likes seeing the candidates in the parades.

“They should be in the hometown parades. I take everyone’s stickers and information and sit down with it later and look up things on them. Especially the new ones.”

Burum said that for her, one of the big state issues, “Is whether we’ve kind of let our quality of life slip. Kids are paying to be in everything. It seems like maybe we’ve cut too much.”

On the national level, she said she’s particularly interested in how candidates say they will deal with the threats from Iran and Korea. “I’m worried about them. We’re already in the war in Iraq and I don’t think there’s much we can do there.”

As the hoards of political supporters wearing the T-shirts of their candidates filed down Washington Avenue, long-time Nicollet County Commissioner Judy Hanson looked on, waiting to file into her spot in the parade.

“I feel a little overwhelmed by all these candidates with their big groups,” said Hanson, who is running for re-election and hasn’t yet heard of anyone interested in running against her.

Hanson had a few family members walking with her and a pickup with signs behind her. “It’s actually more than I used to have. It just used to be (my husband) driving the truck and me walking,” she said.

“I think it’s important to be out here and represent county government. The county can get lost with all the state and national candidates, but it’s an important part of government.”