Patriots Parade: Over 1 Million Fans Expected
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Patriots Super Bowl championship parade will begin Tuesday at 11 a.m. from the Hynes Convention Center in downtown Boston.
The parade route will go down Boylston Street at Hereford Street, then left onto Tremont Street to Cambridge Street, where it will end at City Hall. There will not be a rally in City Hall Plaza.
That decision was "for a number of reasons," said Boston Marty Walsh at a press conference Monday. "But one is really about making sure that our public safety officials aren't overworked in the sense of what happened this weekend. And also, just logistically, a lot of the players head back home after the rally."
If you're planning on going to the parade, the city is recommending you take public transportation, because parking will be scarce.
Parking will be banned on several streets and towing will start at 6 a.m.
These streets will be closed to all traffic at about 9 a.m. according to the city:
Boylston Street, Massachusetts Avenue to Tremont Street
Tremont Street, Boylston Street to Court Street
Cambridge Street, Court Street to New Chardon Street
There is no set time to re-open them because that will depend on the size of the crowd.
The city expects to reopen Boylston Street first, then Tremont and finally Cambridge Street.
Walsh also stressed, "On those duck boats are going to be families, kids. The Patriots are going to bring their families with them and young people with them. Watching the parade are going to be kids and families. So we're asking you, do not throw things. Don't throw beer. Do not throw anything at those boats."
During the Red Sox World Series parade, Manager Alex Cora was hit by an unopen beer can.
Commissioner Gross echoed Walsh by saying, "this is a family event, folks. We've been here before."
"No public drinking. No smoking marijuana. Just because you like the smell, doesn't mean a little kid does," said Gross.
He also asked parents for their help to prevent teenagers from coming into the city already drunk or with alcohol.
No drones will be allowed.
Police, both in uniform in plain clothes, will be deployed in six different zones. There are no known threats against the parade.
Gross estimated "well over a million" would be in attendance.
Anyone with disabilities who would like to attend the parade but has questions about accessibility should call 617-635-3682 or email disability@boston.gov.
The MBTA will run rush-hour service all day to accommodate the crowds and some commuter rail lines will have extra cars as well. For more information, visit mbta.com/patriots.
The weather will be great for early February. Temperatures will be in the mid-40's in the morning. The sun will be out and the temperatures could get as high as 60 degrees by the early afternoon.
For more parade information, visit boston.gov.
