Chicago Blackhawks Championship Parade: My Personal Experience

As many of you know, Friday was the day the city of Chicago and its sports fans united for the return the greatest trophy in sports—the Stanley Cup.

The city and Chicago Blackhawks combined to put on the best victory parade and rally that any team has been given in our great town.

Two million strong showed up to celebrate, and my friends and myself decided to enjoy the experience.

All the photos you see in the coming slides are from Mallory Troxel and myself. Thanks to her for helping contribute to this timeless slide show.

Enjoy, because I know I did, minus the sweaty t-shirt and some ignorant fans.

The Quiet Before the Storm

This was about 7:45 am, or as some would soon realize, late to the party. The entire stage was surrounded with people.

The Stakeout

Michigan Avenue and South Water. The adjacent street was Wacker Plaza. The South Water entrance was the closest opening to the stage for rescue help to exit in the case of an emergency.

The Flag Presentation

Our first look at the parade.

A Tradition

You have to love the clydesdales and the dalmatian.

Savvy

Denis Savard, one of the best Blackhawks ever to wear the Indian head sweater. One of the highlights of the parade for me.

The other highlight was when Rocky Wirtz's bus stopped in front of me, but I missed the photo op because another fan ran into me. The few seconds that he waved and smiled led to one of the most deafening cheers I have ever experienced.

John Madden

His veteran experience was paramount in the journey for the cup. He will more than likely be gone next year because of cap issues, but his one year in Chicago will never be forgotten for me.

Brent Seabrook...

...and a fist pump. One of my favorite photos from the parade.

If It Were Only Real

One of many homemade Stanley Cup trophies.

The Clarence Campbell Trophy

Given to the Western Conference champions.

Cristobal Huet

A nice cheesy grin...I wonder why.

I cannot remember who else was in this photo.

Seabs Again

Ben Eager and Jacob Dowell are behind him.

Adam Burish

Also a nice shot of Nick Boynton's back. Burish was all sorts of jacked up.

Troy Brouwer

Kept the beard.

Colin Fraser

Capturing the moment.

Patrick Sharp looked like a new man without his playoff beard.

The Stanley Cup

Oh wait, you can't see it? Yeah, I got ran into by a fan.

I was not happy. You can still see Jonny Toews's arm...

Chaos

Barriers were pushed over, fans knocked around, and sweat that was not yours covering you. It kind of stunk, but it was worth it.

Because of the mess, the view after the parade route was collapsed was skewed, so I could not see the stage. Thank God for television replays.

Proof I Was There

Yep, that is me with Mallory, the other photographer.

I wanted to put in my contacts earlier, but I was trapped but gobs of people, so you get to see my serious face.

And now you cannot doubt that I was there.

Hawkeytown

After an amazing and unique experience, this was the last image I captured.

One lesson I truly learned from the parade—get a hotel room and stay the night before.

To all that were there, thank you for making the day a truly great one. For those who could not be there, I hope this slideshow captures some of the excitement from the day.

Here's hoping we all can experience this again some time soon.