NEW YORK — Lower Manhattan was transformed into a sea of blue and orange on Thursday as millions of fans gathered for what city officials believe could be the largest victory parade in New York’s history.
Celebrating their first NBA championship since 1973, the New York Knicks rolled up Broadway’s famed Canyon of Heroes in a traditional ticker-tape parade, showered by thousands of pounds of shredded paper tossed from overlooking office windows.
Unprecedented Crowds and Security
Crowds began forming as early as 4:30 a.m., with security lines stretching for blocks before the parade’s 10 a.m. start at Bowling Green. Due to strict capacity limits at the viewing areas, city officials warned that thousands of fans could face being turned away.
To manage the historic turnout, the NYPD deployed over 10,000 officers—the largest force ever assigned to a planned event in the city, surpassing Times Square’s New Year’s Eve details. The security measures included heavy weapons teams, drones, and explosive-detection K-9 units. Major subway stations at Wall Street and City Hall were bypassed early in the morning, and all vehicular traffic south of Canal Street was suspended.
A Star-Studded Celebration
The parade culminated with a grand ceremony at City Hall plaza, which was converted into a massive outdoor performance space. Elected officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, joined the festivities to honor the team.
The ceremony featured local musicians, including Brooklyn’s all-female brass band, Brass Queens, and a headlining performance by global icon Alicia Keys, who sang the city’s unofficial anthem, “Empire State of Mind.”
“The train was packed, energy high. I feel amazing. It’s gonna be one of the best days of my life,” said State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who arrived at dawn to secure a seat. “There’s no better place to throw a party than in the capital of the world.”
Following the festivities, a cleanup crew of more than 700 sanitation workers was deployed to clear the mountain of confetti left behind in the historic celebration.
