It was a magnificent turnout this Friday at the Blackhawks Parade as some 3 million or so fans clambered to get a glimpse of their champions in red and partake of the celebrations. Reports confirmed that 2 million people showed up to the 2010 parade as the Blackhawls celebrated their first cup since1961. The parade this Friday started at United Center, made its way down Washington St., curved down Columbus Dr. to reach an on-stage rally in Grant Park at Hutchinson Field.
picture courtesy sbnation.com
Captain Thanks The City
"This shows how unbelievable this city is," Toews said, addressing the rapt crowd at Grant Park. "Unbelievable. Thank you."Read More
The Blackhawks rode to the rally in red, open-topped buses, passing waving and screaming fans of every age as the parade traveled from the United Center to the downtown party. Toews hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head to show it off to the crowd, which was cooled by large water misters placed along the route with temperatures in the low 80s.
One of the many signs read "Thank you, guys" on the top line and "Best 17 seconds of my life" for the second part - referring to the pair of late goals that lifted the Blackhawks to a 3-2 title-clinching victory over the Boston Bruins on Monday night. And there was at least one expression of love for Andrew Shaw, the hardscrabble forward who required stitches on his face after he was hit by a puck Monday.
Even Corey Crawford spoke to the The Grant Park crowd, who enjoyed hearing from the normally reserved goalkeeper.
The massive crowds also resulted in 42 people being taken to the hospital due to heat-related health problems. But that didn't stop the jubilant crowd who camped out on the park grounds waiting for a chance to clamber up on stage.
