Boston officials preparing for Celtics victory parade Friday, following championship win - The Boston Globe (2024)

Cindy Brown, chief executive of Boston Duck Tours, said last week the company plans to deploy anywhere from the high teens to 25 vehicles to transport Celtics players, coaches, staffers, and assorted team legends during the parade, the Globe reported.

“The Celtics exist for our fans,” said Boston Celtics president Rich Gotham. “We are here for the city, we always say we’re in the joy business and we’re going to get the opportunity to share some of that joy with our fans during the rolling rally on Friday. I hope it’s a safe celebration for everyone.”

While police arrested eight people Monday night, mostly for disorderly conduct, Boston police Commissioner Michael Cox said there were no other major security or safety issues reported, which he hopes will also be the case during Friday’s parade.

“For the most part it was a good crowd,” Cox told the Globe Tuesday. “It’s always a little much when you have that many people, sometimes not everyone listens, but for the most part all our fans did well last night, hopefully they’ll continue to do well going into this. . . . We just want people to celebrate responsibly.”

The victory parade will begin at 11 a.m. Friday outside the TD Garden where the team won its 18th NBA championship. Wu said attendees should expect a heavy police and first responder presence. She added that attendees should take precautions due to the heat, and be prepared for extensive road closures along the route.

From TD Garden, the parade will move down Causeway Street, pass by Boston City Hall, turn onto the Tremont Street side of the Boston Common, and then come to an end at the Hynes Convention Center on Boylston Street, Wu said.

Wu urged residents to take public transit on Friday as the MBTA will be increasing service on all lines. Parking on certain city streets in the West End, downtown, and Back Bay will be closed just after midnight on Friday morning, officials said, and Boston Transportation Department employees will begin towing cars on the impacted roads.

Streets along the parade route will be closed to traffic starting at 9 a.m. Friday, and a list of closed streets is available on the city’s website, officials said.

“Traffic will be plentiful and parking will be scarce,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, the city’s chief of streets. “So whether you’re going to work or coming in for the parade, we cannot say this strongly enough: Please take public transportation into Boston on Friday.”

Wu also encouraged residents to stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and stay indoors whenever possible due to the heat emergency declared this Tuesday through Thursday.

“We are also encouraging everyone to celebrate safely, and look out for each other,” Wu said. “Although the weather will cool off slightly by Friday, this is our first heat wave of the year, and we are expecting temperatures in the mid- to high-nineties through Thursday.”

Cox reminded residents “there is no public drinking or use of marijuana on the route in any way.” He also said there should be no climbing on mailboxes, light poles, or signs. If fans do not get down from those areas when asked by police, they could be arrested, he said.

“Any disruptive behavior, fighting, things of that nature, will not be tolerated,” Cox said. “Let’s remember that this is a family-friendly event and we expect everybody to act accordingly.”

During a Celtics’ celebration parade in 2008, after the team won its 17th championship, more than 20 “unruly” fans were arrested for a variety of causes, including disorderly conduct, assault and battery, and possession of substances.

Anticipating the potential for a championship-clinching victory on Monday night, Boston police implemented a “full call-up”, in which all available officers were called to duty, to maintain safety and security during and after the game. Cox said BPD will do the same on Friday, and have both uniformed and plain clothes officers all along the route and throughout the city. State Police and law enforcement from surrounding jurisdictions will also be there to assist, he said.

The Fire Department and EMS will also have additional staffing for the parade, with first responders on foot and bicycles and at aid stations, ready to assist anyone who might need medical attention due to the heat. The city will also have misting centers at City Hall Plaza and Boston Common to offer relief from the expected high temperatures.

According to the National Weather Service, Friday will be cooler with temperatures peaking in the high 80s. Showers are possible after 5 p.m. in the city, the weather service said Tuesday.

Niki Griswold can be reached at niki.griswold@globe.com. Follow her @nikigriswold. John R. Ellement can be reached at john.ellement@globe.com. Follow him @JREbosglobe.