The San Francisco Giants, after winning the 2012 World Series in a 4-0 sweep against the Detroit Tigers, celebrated with their city last Wednesday. On Halloween, at least a million people crowded the streets of downtown San Francisco to cheer for the members of the team as they made their way down Market Street.
The parade culminated in an event at City Hall, which was decked out in orange and black balloons in honor of both the Giants and the holiday. Fans wearing both their Giants best and their Halloween costumes packed into the streets, dancing to the music echoing throughout the square (including “Gangam Style,” sung and danced to by KNBR announcers Kruk and Kuip).
Highlights of the day included the players’ initial entrance onto the square, to screaming applause by thousands. Says Elle Koagedal, long-time Giants fan, “That must be the greatest feeling on earth.” The entire team and all of its supporters were awarded the “key to the city,” and the following photo-op was accompanied by the entire audience singing Queen’s “We Are The Champions.” When Tony Bennett himself came to sing the final song of the celebration, a girl was overheard saying “He’s f—ing Mr. San Francisco!”
The parade was undeniably a cultural event for any San Franciscan with even the slightest interest in baseball. The city came together in celebration of both the team that has represented it with tenacity and integrity for an entire season, and the city itself.
