Chicago Cubs Fan Celebrated Their World Series Win With A Huge Parade 

Shouting too, along with screaming, cheering, high-fiving, fist-pumping, singing, clapping and sign-waving by Cubs fans as far as the eye could see on Friday for a massive celebration in Chicago honoring the World Series champs.

The Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 on Wednesday, winning the World Series title for the first time in 108 years, ending the longest drought in major league baseball.

Jubilant parade-goers decked out in Cubs gear spanned every generation from infants to retirees and came from all walks of life for a parade starting at Wrigley Field and ending with a rally in Grant Park in downtown Chicago.

Fans gather at Grant Park for a parade honoring the World Series champion Chicago Cubs baseball team, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

Spotted in the massive sea of humanity were school kids toting backpacks, workers taking a break, lucky employees whose businesses closed for the day, entire families savoring the moment together and people from far-flung states who traveled hours to join in the hoopla.

“I went to my first game when I was 5 and I’ve been going ever since!” diehard Cubs fan Rich Lansu, 70, tells PEOPLE. “It’s great to be surrounded by fellow fans.”

The gates to Grant Park are officially open! #cubsparade #Cubs pic.twitter.com/ubHkeYohwW

— David Kaplan (@thekapman) November 4, 2016

They hooted and cheered as Cubs players rolled by in a phalanx of open-topped double-decker buses, waving to the crowd and showing off their championship trophy en route to a noontime rally.

The city even dyed the Chicago River a shade of Cubbie blue to honor the team!

Video of the Chicago River being dyed Cubbie Blue @Cubs #Cubs #cubsparade #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/7lrAAqv8zy

— Phil Henke (@Henkepotamus) November 4, 2016

had a previously scheduled day off and other schools in the region cancelled classes — but plenty of other revelers ditched their classes, jobs, doctor’s appointments and meetings just to be part of the historic day.

One mom said she had no problem letting her younger kids miss school so they could attend the parade but had been wary about her 16-year-old missing an important physics lesson. But it ended up there was no need for concern.

“She texted from school telling me not to worry because they will have a substitute teacher,” Meghan Haddad of Palatine, Illinois, told PEOPLE. “Her physics teacher is going to the rally.”

#GrantPark in Chicago as of 9am. #CubsParade expected to break records pic.twitter.com/yodpDnerRy

— Here Lies Zay (@herelieszay) November 4, 2016

A White Sox devotee even came out for the big event to support her Cubbie husband.

“For me, watching his devotion to the team is enough,” says Betty Almaguer of her 41-year-old husband Antonio.

“It’s a beloved team,” says Antonio. “I’m here to support them. I never thought it would happen. It’s surreal.”

“I just can’t wait until the parade starts.” A euphoric Bill Murray spoke with @jonmorosi after the @Cubs' win. #MLBTonight #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/PWkGjsymEY

On Thursday, mayor Rahm Emanuel said the parade was going to to be so epic that it would “stand the test of time.”

“It will be a parade that 108 years have waited for. It will be a parade and a celebration that all of Chicago for 108 years in their mind’s eye, have been envisioning. We’re going to make it a reality in the city of Chicago,” he told the

And, he was right. This is a day and a parade that Chicagoans will not soon forget.

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