The city of Chicago estimated about 5 million people would be on hand for today's Cubs World Series parade and rally, meaning "nearly twice the city's population" planned to attend. Crowds "have been well-behaved and orderly as they jockey for spots" (
CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 11/4). Fans "stood as much as a dozen deep along the 6-mile parade route, which traveled from Wrigley Field to Grant Park for a rally unlike anything North Siders have seen" (
CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 11/4). Crowds "began jamming trains and buses and gathering around Grant Park well before dawn." Cubs P
Jake Arrieta said, "The amount of people, it’s mind boggling" (
SUNTIMES.com, 11/4).
The parade was slated to start at 10:00am CT, but it got underway about 50 minutes late after players "reportedly had difficulty getting to the starting point due to the crowds" (DAILYHERALD.com, 11/4). The city "dyed the Chicago River a bright shade of blue to match the Cubs' colors" (AP, 11/4).
Former ESPN producer Gus Ramsey tweeted, "Victory parade crowd estimates are always dicey. How about we get the crowd to do a count off? You there, guy in the Cubs hat.. you start." Chicago-based agency rEvolution PR & Brand Development Supervisor Evan Vladem: "@AmericanAir is official sponsor @Cubs, went in strong today as presenting sponsor of the parade. VIPs are touting AA branded credentials." Blackhawks C Jonathan Toews: "Chicago knows how to throw a parade, no other city supports their teams like this one. Enjoy the moment."
