Countdown To The Miami Heat Championship Parade
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – An estimated half a million Miami Heat fans will line the streets of downtown and pack the AmericanAirlines Arena for Monday's Parade of Champions and celebration.
In preparation for the parade, some fans did a little last minute stocking up on Heat gear on Sunday.
"I definitely bought something that I am just so proud to have. It is the 'peace, love, world champion' shirt because I'm a champion in Miami, yeah," said Tracy Garwood.
"I got my nephew one of these winning vests jerseys with LeBron James on the back," said Lawrence Green.
The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at the corner of SW 8th Street & 2nd Avenue. It then moves east on 8th Street, then north on Brickell Avenue across the bridge and north on Biscayne Boulevard into the AmericanAirlines Arena via NE 8th Street.
As a safety precaution, no backpacks, baby bags or large purses will be allowed this year.
"Be prepared, none of that will be permitted during the parade," said Miami police spokeswoman Kenia Reyes.
So what do the fans think about the new rules?
"I think it is probably wise you know since it will be a high profile event. With the things that happened in Boston, I think it's a wise move," said Green.
The parade will wrap with a rally inside AmericanAirlines arena. The rally at the AAA will be a private, ticketed event for season ticket holders only. This year the inside celebration will not be played on the big screen outside the AAA.
Miami Fire Rescue said anyone planning on coming to the parade should bring water if they can because they don't want parade-goers to get dehydrated.
"Everyone's excited about the Heat's win and so we expect a large crowd to come so we want to make sure we address all necessary precautionary measures," said Miami Fire Rescue spokesman Lt. Ignatius Carroll.
There will be water stations set up along the parade route, just like last year.
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All roads along the parade route will be shut down by 8:00 a.m. on Monday.
Passengers taking a cruise are also urged to arrive early. At 11:15 a.m. traffic into and out of the port will shut down for about 45 minutes as the parade passes.
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