Around 12 p.m. Friday, a caravan of vehicles carrying Braves players and their families cruised down Peachtree Street as throngs of fans partied in the streets and celebrated the first Braves World Series win in nearly three decades. Players waved from on top of several buses as excited fans waves signs and threw confetti.
Atlanta police estimated 300,000 to 400,000 fans attended the downtown portion of the parade Friday morning.
The parade continued on to the Battery, where fan turnout was similarly strong for the final mile as the Braves neared Truist Park.
Throughout the parade, which lasted around three hours, various players and coaches held the World Series trophy for fans to see.
Braves manager Brian Snitker rode in the back of a pickup truck with his wife, Ronnie. Snitker described the fan turnout as “insane.” He said riding in the parade was “phenomenal. ... I’m so proud of our city and Braves country. What a day.”
Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, a native of Marietta in suburban Atlanta, had a hometown perspective on the fans’ 26-year wait to celebrate another championship.
“This city has been wanting a championship for a long time,” Swanson said. “It’s just so cool they let schools out. To see kids be able to enjoy this moment and be inspired by this moment, it’s second to none.”
Hank Aaron’s wife, Billye, said at the Truist Park celebration that Hank, who died on Jan. 22, “is here with us. He loved the Atlanta Braves and I am so very, very happy to see these young men who have picked up the mantle and carried it on.”
The event will continue with a concert by Atlanta rappers Big Boi and Ludacris.
Customers Michael Cox (left) and Anthony Davis (right) view a selection of Braves T-shirts on Peachtree Street before the start of the parade.
Demontrez Dingle, age 4, clings to his dad, Tyrone White, near the beginning of the parade.
3-month-old Amanda McMillan of Riverdale was on hand.
Donfrea Woolfork was among thousands who waited for a glimpse of their baseball heroes.
Atlanta Braves fans cheer on their 1995 World Championship team during a victory parade Monday, Oct. 30, 1995 in downtown Atlanta. (AP Photo/Andrew Innerarity)
Braves owner Ted Turner makes the symbolic tomahawk chop from a fire engine as the Braves victory parade passes the state Capitol.
The Braves and the city of Atlanta celebrated a world championship in 1995. AJC file photo.
Students lead the victory parade towards Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
The Braves won the world championship in 1995 and the city celebrated with a parade downtown. Now Atlanta’s football team, the Falcons, tries to win a title and earn its own parade too. Take a look back at that 1995 celebration.
Braves pitcher Tom Glavine signs autographs.
Braves owner Ted Turner and his wife Jane Fonda enjoyed the day.
Braves manager Bobby Cox waves to fans.
Students carrying a Braves banner lead the victory parade in 1995.
Some fans sought to get above the crowd in order to get a better view.
Braves owner Ted Turner (right) and his wife Jane Fonda ride with the World Series trophy.
Dante's Down the Hatch brought an antique car and a beautiful dog to the parade.
Douglas High School’s marching band and color guard perform during the 1995 parade.
A firetruck carrying the World Series trophy passes in front of the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
Morris Brown’s marching band takes part in the 1995 parade through Atlanta.
Braves fans crowd in to see the victory parade through downtown.
Braves pitchers ride a firetruck during the 1995 parade.
An aerial view of the Braves parade in 1995.
The Braves beat the Cleveland Indians to win the championship.
The procession through downtown Atlanta for the Braves in 1995.
Baseball fans line the streets downtown during the celebratory parade for the Atlanta Braves’ World Series title in 1995.
Tthousands of fans surge down Capitol Avenue. Many students skipped school to watch the memorable event.
Fans along Peachtree Street give their heroes a rousing cheer during the parade.
Perched in a fire truck, Braves manager Bobby Cox and wife Pamela wave to fans along Peachtree Street.
Braves pitcher Tom Glavine, the World Series' Most Valuable Player, waves to some of the estimated half-million fans on Monday, October 30, 1995.