Democratic Delegates Explore Big Apple : Convention: The city throws a party for the party, offering various welcomes from an interfaith service to topless dancers in Central Park.

Wearing sturdy shoes and armed with cameras and maps, thousands of convention delegates toured, explored and partied throughout the city on Sunday. “Dem-lock” is here.

Enjoying a free day before today’s start of the Democratic National Convention, they wandered the city streets--and weren’t too hard to spot.

They were the ones arguing over directions on street corners; the ones walking with their heads tilted up; the ones posing for smiling snapshots on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Steve Leeds, 46, a delegate from Atlanta, was one. Leeds said it was his first visit to New York in 25 years.

And?

“I don’t think it’s really changed all that much,” said Leeds, who was convention-conspicuous as he wandered along Central Park South carrying a red, white and blue “Welcome to New York” suitcase, filled with free maps and brochures.

Leeds and his party of four had already visited the Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Asked about the negatives associated with the city, Leeds shrugged, saying: “The stories that are told about New York don’t always seem true.”

Delegates had their choice of things to do on convention eve and they ran the gamut from the angelic to downright devilish.

The former included an interfaith service in their honor at the Marble Collegiate Church; the latter, a welcome from two topless dancers in Central Park. Their goal: “Welcome the delegates with spunk.”

In case neither of those appealed, four local charities set up water tanks outside the Loew’s Hotel on Lexington Avenue, offering anyone the chance to dunk George Bush, Dan Quayle, Bill Clinton or Ross Perot for $1.

Granted, they were only volunteers wearing masks, but it’s the thought that counts.

Until the real convention work begins today at 2 p.m., it’s party time.

The main events Sunday were 42 nighttime, welcoming bashes for delegates at New York spots ranging from the jazzy Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village to tony Lincoln Center and the Central Park Zoo.

Other pre-party parties included a tribute to the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Apollo Theater, a reception for gay and lesbian delegates and a Central Park picnic for delegates and supporters of former California Gov. Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr.

Delegates are to be treated to a “Taste of New York” dine-around today at some of Manhattan’s premier eateries. Others, like The Quilted Giraffe and Le Cirque are offering their famous prix-fixe fare for a patriotic $19.92 in honor of the convention.

Unfortunately for those planning outdoor barbecues and garden parties, Mother Nature was not cooperating. Muggy, rainy weather threatened and thunderstorms were predicted for Sunday night, today and Tuesday.

While Jackie Onassis plans to throw a bash for a select group of invitees, the city’s party will go to the public with Broadway musicals staging a free show in Times Square. Champagne will be served to delegates at midnight Wednesday atop the Empire State Building.