Philly To Host Villanova Victory Parade Thursday

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia officials said the city will host a victory parade for the Villanova University Wildcats in celebration of their NCAA National Championship win.

The parade will be held Thursday, April 5 beginning at 11 a.m. at 20th and Market streets and end at Dilworth Park with a rally.

The parade will assemble on the 2000 to 2900 blocks of Market Street at 9:30 a.m.

It will head east on Market to 15th Street, then south on 15th to South Penn Square, east on South Penn Square and end west of Broad Street for the rally. The rally is set to begin at 11:45 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m.

Street closures and parking restrictions are planned.

The following streets will be closed starting at 9:30 a.m. until about noon on Thursday:

• 2000-2900 Market Street (Cross traffic will not be permitted during this time frame)

The following streets will be closed starting at 10 a.m. until about 1 p.m. on Thursday:

• 1600-1900 Market Street
• 16th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street
• 17th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street
• 18th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street
• 19th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street
• 20th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street

The following streets will be closed starting at 10 a.m. until about 3 p.m. on Thursday:

• 1500 Market Street
• 15th Street from Race Street to Chestnut Street
• S. Penn Square from 15th Street to Broad Street

The following streets will be posted as "Temporary No Parking" zones from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday:

• 1400 JFK Blvd. (South Side)
• 1500-1600 JFK Blvd. (Both Sides)
• 1700 JFK Blvd. (Both Sides)
• 1500-2900 Market Street (Both Sides)
• 15th Street from Chestnut Street to Arch Street (Both Sides)
• S. Penn Square from 15th Street to Broad Street (South Side)

Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated.

City officials also remind parade goers of safety factors to keep in mind:

• Do not leave bags or items unattended.
• In an emergency or to report a suspicious person, activity or item (such as a backpack, a package, a container), notify a police officer immediately or call 911 and do not try to open, move, cover or touch any suspicious items.
• The public should expect congestion in the area and those attending the parade should make a plan regarding driving, public transit, parking, and supervision of children.
• Attendees should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate attire. Thursday's forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with high temperatures of 46 and lows of 35.
• No drones permitted in the parade area

Philly hosted a championship parade for the Wildcats after their 2016 National Championship win, as well as after their 1985 title win. Nova came out of the March Madness tournament champions after major wins throughout the tournament.

In the end, the Wildcats emerged victorious Monday night in a 79 to 62 win over the University of Michigan Wolverines.

Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images