Chicago celebrates Cubs World Series win with huge parade — VIDEO

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

8 years ago

Fans line up to watch as Chicago Cubs celebrate winning the team’s first World Series in 108 years during a victory parade in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 4, 2016. (Frank Polich/Reuters)

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; The World Series trophy is held up during the Chicago Cubs World Series parade outside of Wrigley Field on Addison Street. (Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports)

Fans celebrate outside Wrigley Field as buses carrying the Chicago Cubs baseball team arrive in Chicago early Thursday after the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in Game 7 of the World Series. (Matt Marton/AP)

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Young fans of the Chicago Cubs wait for the start of the World Series victory parade on Michigan Avenue. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs celebrate during their World Series parade outside of Wrigley Field on Addison Street. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as the Chicago Cubs make their way along Michigan Avenue during the World Series victory parade. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A dog wears a Chicago Cubs bandana during the World Series victory parade on Michigan Avenue. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A double decker bus makes its way along the parade route during the World Series victory parade for the Chicago Cubs on Michigan Avenue. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein waves to the crowd during the World Series victory parade on Michigan Avenue. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs were welcomed by thousands of fans and red and blue confetti at Grant Park for the team’s World Series championship rally.

Players, coaches, their families and team executives arrived in a motorcade of open-roof buses just after noon on Friday, following a parade from Wrigley Field through city streets packed with cheering fans.

While they waited to take the stage for a victory rally, Cubs manager Joe Maddon talked with former Cubs player and Baseball Hall of Famer Billy Williams.

During the parade, third baseman Kris Bryant wore a wrestling-style championship belt with a Cubs logo.

Tens of thousands of fans waited at Grant Park for the rally. Many waved white and blue “W” for win Cubs flags and held signs saying “World Champs.”

Chitown even dyed the river blue in honor of the win, a tradition normally reserved for St. Patrick’s Day with green dye.

JOE MADDEN AND FANS

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon carried the World Series championship trophy onto the stage at a rally honoring the team in Grant Park.

Maddon started by talking to the fans, saying “You guys are the best. Congratulations!”

Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein also spoke, telling fans that they “are really what carried our guys through October.” He said the players “felt how badly” the Chicago Cubs fans wanted a World Series win.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts told the crowd that the players on the World Series team are “going to be Chicago baseball legends.”

Ricketts said he was used to fans coming up to him, asking when the Cubs were going to win a World Series. He said, “For the thousands of people who have said that to me, ‘There you go.’”