Cubs World Series Parade and Rally: About 5M People Pack Chicago to Cheer World Champs, Officials Say

CHICAGO, IL — It's a celebration that many Chicagoans have been waiting for more than a century to enjoy. The city finally gets to hold a parade and rally in honor of a Chicago Cubs world championship.

The procession — scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. — was delayed by almost an hour from leaving Wrigley Field on Friday, Nov. 4. The Cubs' motorcade then made its way down Lake Shore Drive, to Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, before ending at Grant Park.

Despite the earlier delay, the team and World Series trophy arrived at Hutchinson Field at around noon, which was when the rally was set to start. But it took almost another hour before those festivities would begin.

Patch's Tim Moran was at the Grant Park rally and provided updates from the celebration throughout the day. Check out to see what you missed if you couldn't attend or watch the event. Or relive the celebration with Patch's coverage.

Street Closings

Although streets north of Ontario are open, the roadways around Grant Park are still closed, despite the rally being over.

—Joe Vince (2:53 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Leading the Champs

Wonder what it looked like behind the wheel of the Cubs motorcade's police escort as it drove the downtown parade route?

—Joe Vince (2:39 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Spectator Stories: Bob From Hoffman Estates

Bob admits that if you had asked him about the Cubs last year, he wouldn't have been able to tell you anything about the team. But this year, the Hoffman Estates resident says he jumped on the bandwagon because of the possibility of a World Series championship.

And he was disappointed. He was, however, slightly disappointed by the celebration. He thought the players should've talked more during the rally.

"Rizzo, yeah. But no else [talked]," he said.

Bob especially wanted to hear more from catcher David Ross.

—Joe Vince (2:31 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Not Cool, Dancing Fans

Unfortunately, some fans got out of control during the celebration as this video shows.

The vehicle's windows were broken. Windows at bus stops were also shattered by fans during the celebration.

Another tweet showed an ambulance carrying injured people inside being delayed while fans were dancing in front of it.

—Joe Vince (2:07 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

5 Million People Came to Party

Chicago officials estimated 5 million people turned out for the Cubs' parade and rally. But that number might be an overestimation, WGN newscasters said during the end of the rally.

—Joe Vince (1:56 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Rally Winds Down

After the singalong, the rally came to an end. But the thousands of fans stayed packed into Grant Park as "Sweet Home Chicago" and "We Are the Champions" played over the PA system. The players stayed on the stage, taking photos with the World Series trophy.

—Joe Vince (1:47 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Players Lead Massive "Go Cubs Go" Singalong

Country singer Brett Eldredge, a die-hard Cubs fan, came onstage and led the team and thousands of spectators in the crowd in singing "Go Cubs Go." Quite possibly the first and only time a singalong has been performed at a World Series celebration.

—Joe Vince (1:43 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Player Introductions

Pat Hughes brought up each player individually to the stage, explaining that only some of them would be speaking.

Dexter Fowler was the first, thanking manager Joe Maddon and comparing the team to a family.

Jon Lester was next to speak, asking the crowd, "How about this sh--?" He then thanked retiring catcher David Ross, who was brought on to the team at Lester's request.

Addison Russell got the crowd cheering when he moonwalked across the stage. Then Kyle Schwarber talked about how his teammates got him through his start-of-the-season injury.

"They got to the World Series and for me to be able to contribute was awesome," he said. "Let's do it again next year!"

World Series MVP Ben Zobrist gave the longest speech up until that point. Even though MVP is an individual award, he said it was a team award this year.

"This is a team full of MVPs, and we're in a city of MVPs," Zobrist said.

He also told the crowd that he wanted to be part of the Cubs since becoming a free agent after winning the World Series MVP for the Kansas City Royals last year.

"How can I top this?" Zobrist said about what he thought after winning a title and MVP award in 2015. "And then I started thinking about Chicago and thinking about Wrigley Field and 108 years, and I said I want to be part of that."

Anthony Rizzo also thanked many of the unsung heroes, including past Cubs Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood. He broke down in tears talking about David Ross:

"He taught me what it was like to be a winner. He's taught me a lot in life. On the field off the field. I'm grateful for him. He's going out a champion."

Ross was then introduced and shouted, "Look at what the guys got me for retiring?" He then hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy.

Gathering the team around him, Ross took a selfie of the team and the Grant Park crowd.

Rizzo came back onstage to give owner Tom Ricketts the ball from the last out of Game 7.

—Joe Vince (1:21 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Forgetting the "Not" in "Try Not to Suck"

Theo Epstein, the Cubs' president of baseball operations, sounded like he had been with the team for all 108 years of the title drought as he thanked the fans for their support.

"Our players felt how badly you guys wanted it," said Epstein, who has been with the Cubs for five years. "Seeing you guys share this with your parents and grandparents. It's been incredibly emotional for everybody. … We've all dreamed of this ... and this has exceeded our wildest dreams."

He said fans stuck with the organization even when "we forgot the 'not' in 'try not to suck'," the team's motto this year.

Epstein also mentioned an 83-year-old fan who asked him early on when the Cubs would win a World Series. At the time, he wanted to tell her to "take her vitamins." But he said that "deep down, I know she made it," and he dedicated this title to her and all the Cubs fans.

Epstein then introduced manager Joe Maddon before going "back to that little bender I've been promising."

—Joe Vince (1:16 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Special Childhood Memory

Think this guy will remember his dad's big day? If not, Anthony Rizzo has earned the right to remind him of it all the time:

—Joe Vince (12:58 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Bigger Than Boston

Throughout the day, Theo Epstein, the Cubs president of baseball operations and widely considered the architect behind the current team, has been telling anyone who'll listen that Friday's celebration has been larger than he imagined and bigger than the one he attended in 2004 when he was general manager for the Boston Red Sox.

—Joe Vince (12:56 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

The Party Is On

Addressing thousands of the "best fans in the universe," Cubs radio announcer Pat Hughes asked the crowd how it feels to cheer for a World Series-winning team.

Hughes kicked off the Grant Park festivities, followed by Wayne Messmer singing "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Ricketts family is up next.

—Joe Vince (12:51 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Anthony Rizzo, Fashionista

Has Jon Lester revealed the rally's current delay? Are they waiting for Anthony Rizzo to finish dressing up the World Series trophy before going onstage?

—Joe Vince (12:42 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Spectator Stories: Diane From Dallas

Diane, a Cubs fan and Dallas resident, flew in from Texas for the celebration. She was speechless and in tears when the team's motorcade came down Michigan Avenue.

She had been waiting for years for this moment.

—Tim Moran (12:34 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

8 Years Ago Today …

David Axelrod, a former adviser for President Barack Obama and an avid Cubs fan, provided some historical background to Friday's celebration:

—Joe Vince (12:29 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Still Waiting

The team is inside the park, but the players are still waiting backstage for the rally to start.

Outfielder Albert Almora Jr. offered a nice sentiment about the win. He's been telling all the fans he meets that this World Series victory is for them and all their support over the years.

—Joe Vince (12:24 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Spectator Stories: The Milazzo Family

The Milazzo family got on the train in Shorewood at 8:30 a.m., but they were still able to get a good pretty spot to watch the parade. In fact, they were able to see Ben Zobrist, Joe Maddon and the World Series trophy.

This was the first Chicago championship celebration they had attended.

—Tim Moran (12:22 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Fans Get Ready for the Rally

Despite the delay, the team motorcade made it to Grant Park fairly close to the originally scheduled time for the rally, which had been set for noon. The players signed autographs as they entered the park at about 12:15 p.m.

Some fans at Hutchinson Field have had trouble seeing the action as the crowds stretched hundreds of rows deep from the stage. A few spectators have hoisted themselves on top of portable toilets, as well as the shoulders of other people and park trees like in the photo posted earlier.

Three teenagers from St. Ignatius College Prep were able to watch the parade and said it was awesome. They said they were able catch glimpses of all the players.

—Tim Moran (12:16 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Sky-High View

Some spectators climbed up to the Motorola sign on the Santa Fe Building on Michigan Avenue to get a glimpse of the parade and the upcoming rally.

—Joe Vince (12:01 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3)

They're Here!

The first bus has finally arrived at Grant Park's Hutchinson Field.

—Joe Vince (11:54 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Biggest Celebration Ever?

"Throng of humanity" can't even begin to describe the crowd size along Michigan Avenue. Saying the fans and spectators went 100 people deep is not hyperbole. And that might be an understatement.

—Joe Vince (11:52 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Where's the New Whip, Ben?

As World Series MVP, second baseman Ben Zobrist received a brand new Chevrolet Camaro. Sadly, his new set of wheels was not part of the parade's motorcade.

But maybe he's giving his neighbors rides in it. Zobrist didn't seem to mind signing autographs for the people who live near the North Center resident, according to WGN News.

—Joe Vince (11:42 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Packed In

The crowds are shoulder to shoulder at Grant Park.

Some spectators were trying to get the best view possible ahead of the players arriving for the rally.

Officials say they expect close to 3 million people to turn out for Friday's parade and rally.

—Tim Moran (11:21 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Little Help?

Jon Lester tweeted that fellow pitcher John Lackey had lost his sunglasses as the parade got under way. So he asked fans for some assistance:

Lester lost something, too:

—Joe Vince (11:19 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Top of the Bus, Ma

How are the players entertaining themselves on top of the double-decker buses? First baseman Anthony Rizzo gives everyone a peek:

—Joe Vince (11:10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Mayoral Thank You

Originally, city officials wanted to hold the Cubs' celebration Monday, giving them time to prepare for an event of this magnitude. But the team wanted to hold the parade and rally Friday, and the city agreed with the request. Because of that, city agencies and department had a small window of time to mobilize and get ready.

As the parade kicked off, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office released the following statement:

“Thank you to the men and women of the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Special Events, first responders, and city workers from all agencies and departments whose hard work made today possible. As we celebrate the efforts of the Cubs on the field, we also honor the Chicagoans who have worked around the clock to make this postseason and parade possible.”

—Joe Vince (11:04 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Go Cubs, Go!

The buses and other vehicles at Wrigley Field have started to head downtown, albeit slowly. Along with the current team, players from past eras, such as Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood and Ryne Sandberg, are part of the parade group, as well as Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The Commissioner's Trophy is on its way to Grant Park.

—Joe Vince (10:50 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Big-Hearted Cubs Fans

One of the cool things coming out of the Cubs' World Series appearance was having fans write messages to the team on Wrigley Field's brick walls before games.

In fact, one Texas fan wanted to have her late husband's name written on the wall, but she couldn't get to the ballpark. So user bleepbloopdederp went on Reddit with this request:

"I read people were doing this. I am living in Texas and cannot do so and it would mean the world to me. His name was Eddie Ruiz.

"Little backstory: My first husband died in 2009 when I was 25 and he was 29. We were only married 4 months when he passed. He was from Chicago and loved the Cubs."

Fans stepped up, and user uppitywhine was chosen: "I'd be honored to write your late husband's name on the wall. I'll do it after the parade tomorrow."

Another touching story added to a World Series full of touching Cubs stories.

—Joe Vince (10:44 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

All aboard

The Cubs players are finally starting to board the red double-decker buses they will ride in the parade.

—Joe Vince (10:26 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Early Celebrating

These fans at the LaSalle Street train station were enjoying themselves.

—Tim Moran (10:24 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

No More Room?

There have been reports that Metra was overcapacity, and some fans were not allowed to board trains to get downtown.

Did this happen to you? If you took a Metra or CTA train, how crowded was the car you rode in?

—Joe Vince (10:21 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Let's Get This Show on the Road

The motorcade traveling from Wrigley Field to Michigan Avenue hasn't started moving yet. But Chicago police says that all roads along the parade route have been shut down.

Go Cubs Go. Literally.

—Joe Vince (10:13 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Too Young to Retire?

He might be called "Grandpa Rossy," but he's "Dad" to this team

What do you think, Ross? One more season?

—Joe Vince (10:06 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Last Train to Wrigleyville and We'll Meet You at the Station

Downtown and the Lake View area weren't the only places with crowds for the celebration. Metra stations were busier than usual Friday as fans used public transit to get to the event.

Officials expect this to be largest public event in Chicago history.

—Tim Moran (9:48 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

London's Mayor Congratulates Cubs

In what might be part of a secret code of conduct among mayors, Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, tweeted congratulations to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City of Chicago for the Cubs' win:

Wonder if Emanuel is obliged to return the favor if London wins the cricket Super World Series Bowl Finals.

—Joe Vince (9:41 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4)

Chicago River Has a Case of the Blues

Similar to the St. Patrick's tradition, city work crews began dyeing the Chicago River blue in honor of the Cubs' World Series title and Friday's celebration.

The color change began around 7:15 a.m., according to the Chicago Tribune. Some groups and individuals, such as Friends of the Chicago River, are concerned about the damage that could be done to the waterway's wildlife and vegetation by the dye job.

But please, don't drink the water on a dare or out of curiosity. You've been warned.

—Joe Vince

Live Stream the Celebration

Watch the celebration as it happens:

Fans gather on the west side of Grant Park, near Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway, for the parade and rally in honor of the Chicago Cubs' World Series title on Friday, Nov. 4. (photo by Tim Moran)

Fans wait for the train at the 103rd Street Metra station to travel downtown for the Cubs victory parade and rally Friday, Nov. 4. (photo by Tim Moran)

Cubs' Wrigley Field marquee after the win of Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday, Nov. 2. (photo by Tim Moran)

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