Chicago Blackhawks Parade 2013: Victory Parade To Start At 10:30 Friday Morning Downtown

Last-Minute Guide To Friday's Blackhawks Parade
The Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane (88) hoists the Stanley Cup aloft for the crowds during the Stanley Cup victory parade and celebration in Chicago, Illinois, Friday, June 11, 2010. (Will DeShazer/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane (88) hoists the Stanley Cup aloft for the crowds during the Stanley Cup victory parade and celebration in Chicago, Illinois, Friday, June 11, 2010. (Will DeShazer/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images)

Updated story

Chicago Blackhawks fans chasing the Stanley Cup will be able to get a glance at the best trophy in sports when the parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning, following by an 11 a.m. victory rally in Grant Park.

Thursday, 6/28 UPDATE: (WATCH THE PARADE LIVE.)

City officials released specifics of Friday's events during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

After the Blackhawks leave the United Center, the parade will kick off at 10:30 a.m. at Washington and Des Plaines and will head east on Washington until it arrives for a victory rally at Grant Park's Hutchinson Field set to start at 11 a.m. The rally will last about 45 minutes.

WGN will broadcast the parade and provide a live stream of the events, while officials said there will be Jumbotrons at the Grant Park rally.

Officials said those attending the rally can enter the park at Jackson and Michigan or at Congress and Michigan, both of which will have manned checkpoints to search bags. Officials said anyone with coolers, alcohol, backpacks or large bags will be turned away at the rally.

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy warned revelers not to go north of Washington during the parade due to road closures.

"Friday will be a great day for the Blackhawks fans in the city of Chicago," McCarthy said during the conference, before noting police will have tight security measures in order.

In addition to bag checks, an array of uniformed and plainclothes officers on the streets and bomb-sniffing dogs, McCarthy said CPD will have a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol in the public way to keeping things "family-friendly."

McCarthy and other city officials advised parade and rally-goers to hydrate on a day expected to see temps near 80, though he warned revelers to leave the hooch at home.

"If you're drinking in the street, you will be arrested," McCarthy warned. The city's top cop said the same team that planned the city's NATO response will work on the Blackhawks event Friday.

McCarthy also issued a warning not to jump the interlinking steel barricades along the parade route the way attendees did in 2010 (and the way many did in Wrigleyville after the Hawks' win Monday night).

"There were some folks who jumped barricades in 2010," McCarthy said. "Anyone who goes over them will be arrested. [The barricades] are there for public safety."

Officials also said bomb-sniffing dogs will be out, only as a precaution based on "things we've learned from the past," and not on account of any threat related to the Blackhawks parade.

Officials said to expect "heavy, heavy" traffic and advised people to use public transit.

According to CLTV and WGN traffic reporter Sarah Jindra, CTA will be adding service to all rail lines starting Friday morning through the afternoon; service on the Purple Line Express will be extended through afternoon.

Metra is adding Friday service and selling a $5 unlimited-ride ticket that will be good for Friday only; booze and bikes — normally allowed under Metra rules — will be restricted Friday.

According to the Tribune, street closures in the parade route area will start at 12:01 a.m. Friday and will include all streets between Roosevelt on the south, Randolph on the north, Lake Shore Drive on the east and Michigan Avenue on the west.

Tuesday afternoon, Emanuel said the parade will be like an experience from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

The Blackhawks last victory parade in 2010 took place in the Loop during the afternoon, where city officials estimated it drew an estimated two million people for "one of the biggest public events the city has ever seen," according to NBC Chicago.

Before You Go

PHOTOS: 2013 Stanley Cup Final

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