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Here we go: the Raptors championship parade is set to kick off at 10am today. As we mentioned here, the route is set for Exhibition Place, along Lakeshore, up York and University before coming to a rest at Nathan Phillips Square at 12:30 for a celebration.
We’ll try to update this thread as much as possible throughout the morning/day. For now, take in some of the early (early) scenes from the Square. It’s all happening!
6:00 am:
Let’s have a Parade! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/4sDylNNvZM
— Paul Bromby (@PaulBromby) June 17, 2019
That’s the sun coming up.
7:10:
The lineup for Tim Hortons next to Nathan Phillips Square. pic.twitter.com/mIkXc1KOe5
— Mackay Taggart (@mackaytaggart) June 17, 2019
And here come the people, ready to rise up.
7:30:
Oh it’s LIT lit in Toronto at 730am. pic.twitter.com/A19QSqjJiV
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) June 17, 2019
Friend of the site calls it: the scene is officially LIT. Now it’s time for me to leave my house and try to see if I can carve out a little space to enjoy the show. Have fun everyone!
9:00:
10 to 9am: pic.twitter.com/METWtzCid9
— Daniel Reynolds (@aka_Reynolds) June 17, 2019
We are live on the scene. And the scene.... is crowded.
9:20:
Our guy Woodley reports in from the parade route:
man in raptor suit pic.twitter.com/9g7uFGW7mW
— Sean Woodley (@WoodleySean) June 17, 2019
10:40:
Raptors fans bringing championship signs to this parade.
This Raptors fan pic.twitter.com/nkgKBsdA40
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 17, 2019
11:00:
Sometimes being literal is best.
— Becca Laurie (@imbeccable) June 17, 2019
11:30:
Herbie Kuhn, a whole damn mood.
️ @Raptors PA Announcer Herbie Kuhn takes us through the journey from calling Toronto's 1st game in 1995 to winning the franchise's 1st Championship!
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2019
Watch the @Raptors Championship Parade live on @nbatv, https://t.co/Pqxh2EPubW & the NBA app! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/n2nUH7X1Jw
12:30:
Nathan Phillips Square is at capacity. The Raptors are about a half hour out. The scenes from the air are absolutely unreal.
THE WHOLE CITY OF TORONTO OUT HERE #WeTheNorthDay | @Raptors pic.twitter.com/UK3Oe1VbNM
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 17, 2019
1:02:
The buses being late has given some ample “get lit” time.
— Rap Game Forrest Gump (@Sixfever) June 17, 2019
3:20:
First update in a long while: the players have arrived at Nathan Phillips Square. Masai Ujiri looked off Doug Ford. The stage stuff is about to begin. Let’s get it.
[crying] that's my president pic.twitter.com/RJOL1UDk2n
— John Gaudes (@johngaudes) June 17, 2019
(Side note: We’ll leave the reporting on the criminal incident to actual news organizations. Suffice it to say, happy to hear that no one was killed. Not the kind of note you’d want to add to this kind of celebration, and it’s unfortunate it happened. Hopefully no one else was seriously hurt in the aftermath. Stay safe out there everyone.)
4:30:
Kawhi gets the absolute last last last laugh.
Kawhi Leonard ends his speech with the laugh that won over the hearts of every @Raptors fan pic.twitter.com/rCrM5F4ULa
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 17, 2019