April 03, 2018

Details announced for Philly parade celebrating Villanova's NCAA Championship win

By Marielle Mondon
PhillyVoice Staff

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

Thousands of Villanova fans came out Friday, April 8, 2016 to cheer on the 2016 men's basketball team.

It’s a big year for victory parades in Philadelphia.

After the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory brought the city a parade that forever immortalized Jason Kelce in Mummers garb (and cost upward of $2 million), it’s time to take a deep breath as the city welcomes yet another win. This time Philly is honoring Villanova University after winning an NCAA Championship victory on Monday night against the University of Michigan.

Tuesday afternoon the city announced the parade will be held Thursday, April 5, starting at 11 a.m. at 20th and Market Streets. The parade will proceed eastbound on Market Street to 15th Street, southbound on 15th Street to South Penn Square, eastbound on South Penn Square, terminating on South Penn Square west of Broad Street. The rally portion will take place at Dilworth Park at 11:45 a.m., and the event is expected to end around 12:30 p.m.

Road closures and parking restrictions will be implemented around the parade vicinity. Drivers are advised to expect delays in both directions and use alternate routes to avoid the area. Laws against double-parking will be enforced.

The following streets will be closed beginning at 10:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. Thursday:

• 1600-1900 Market Street
• 16th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street
• 17th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street
• 18th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street
• 19th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street
•20th Street from JFK Blvd. to Chestnut Street

From 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 2000-2900 Market Street will be closed and cross traffic will not be permitted.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. the following streets will be closed:

•1500 Market Street
•South Penn Square from 15th Street to Broad Street (South side)
•15th Street from Race Street to Chestnut Street
•South Penn Square from 15th Street to Broad Street

These streets will be temporary No Parking zones from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.:

•1400 JFK Blvd. (South side)
•1500-1600 JFK Blvd. (Both sides)
•1700 JFK Blvd. (Both sides)
•1500-2900 Market Street (Both sides)
•15th Street from Chestnut Street to Arch Street (Both sides)
•South Penn Square from 15th Street to Broad Street (South side)

SEPTA bus routes will be detoured from normal routes in that area beginning at 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. SEPTA trains are scheduled to run on a normal schedule as of this writing.

Stairs and elevators to Dilworth Park from the underground concourse will be closed on Thursday, April 5th beginning at 9:00AM and reopened as conditions allow.

The last time Villanova won this title, a mere two years ago, about 60,000 fans flocked to Market Street as the 2016 team celebrated. The parade cost an estimated $22,000.

Wildcats fans can relive the highlights of the 2018 NCAA Tournament with the annual "One Shining Moment" video montage.