PHILADELPHIA — City officials in Philadelphia are gearing up for a significant turnout of enthusiastic fans this Friday as a parade is set to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory.

The festivities are scheduled to kick off at approximately 11 a.m., beginning near the stadium in South Philadelphia. The parade will move along Broad Street towards City Hall and then west on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, ultimately reaching the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Eagles will make their entrance down the famous Rocky steps around 2 p.m., followed by a 75-minute ceremony. Large screens will provide a live replay of the Eagles’ impressive 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mayor Cherelle Parker emphasized the team’s resilience, particularly in light of last month’s tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia that claimed seven lives. She remarked on how the Eagles had a rocky start to the season, initially going 2-2, yet still managed to lift the city’s spirits during challenging times. “Our Philadelphia Eagles have shown their grit. They brought joy when we needed it most,” Parker expressed.

In preparation for the event, organizers are reminding participants to celebrate safely, especially in the wake of last year’s championship parade in Kansas City, which was marred by gun violence. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel noted that he was encouraged by the peaceful celebrations in downtown Philadelphia following the game on Sunday.

Many local schools, including public schools, will be closed for the day to allow students and staff to participate in the festivities, and city courts will also observe a closure.

Eagles President Don Smolenski expressed gratitude to the loyal fans, who are often characterized as “bleeding green” for their team. He highlighted their unique ability to create a home-field advantage in rival stadiums, much like what was seen during the Super Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans. “We’ve traveled from Brazil to Bourbon Street, and now we’re celebrating on Broad Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway,” he remarked on Tuesday. “It truly doesn’t get any better than this.”