The Red Sox Are Gearing Up For Their Duck Boat Victory Parade
For the third time in 10 years, the Duck Boats will roll through the city to celebrate a Red Sox World Series victory.
On Saturday, fans can gather along the streets to watch the team as they wave to the crowd after clinching the World Series title. The boats will begin their trip starting at 10 a.m. “The ducks are ready. The fans are ready. The city is ready,” Menino said on Thursday, during a press conference.
The vehicles will start at Fenway Park, bring players down Boylston Street, and finish with the traditional splash in the Charles River, Menino said.
The announcement about the parade came within minutes of the Red Sox taking down the Cardinals on Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
Congratulations Boston Red Sox! See you all on Saturday for the Parade!
— Boston Duck Tours (@BostonDuckTours) October 31, 2013
Menino reiterated the statement in his excitement about a Boston win:
Get the ducks ready, we're having a parade! Please, be responsible, and let's celebrate! Thank you @RedSox. #bostonstrong
— Mayor Tom Menino (@mayortommenino) October 31, 2013
The city picked Saturday because they want it to be a family-friendly event, Red Sox officials said. “This team displayed character from the beginning to end, and showed resiliency,” said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. “This day is a way for this team to thank the city. This team knows their place in the city.”
Werner said the parade was a chance for the Red Sox to thank the dedicated fans for their continued support.
Attendees can expect a heavy police presence as well as increased security. The city is still formulating the details of the rolling rally, but the workers from Boston Duck Tours are already gearing up for the celebration.
“It’s complete and utter chaos,” said Cindy Brown, CEO and President of Boston Duck Tours, the company that is in charge of shipping players through the city after championship wins. “Just getting the ducks ready, it’s very short notice.”
Brown said the company not only has to select the right crew of drivers for the special job, but mechanics have to spend the next few days installing platforms into the Duck Boats, and staffers need to start canceling scheduled tours that were already booked for Saturday. “But it’s totally worth it,” said Brown.
Close to 20 ducks boats will be used for the Red Sox parade. The company does not get paid to host the players during the celebration, said Brown, and they don’t pay to be the vehicles of choice, either. “We are thrilled to be asked each year, and we just want to make the city proud,” she said, adding that the Red Sox celebrations are always her favorite because of the strong bond the company has with the team. “We have gotten to know them well. They are amazing to work with,” she said.
