Two days after winning their fifth Super Bowl, the New England Patriots returned home for their victory parade, where thousands of fans lined the streets to celebrate with their champions. The photos below, taken by WGBH News' Paris Alston and Marilyn Schairer, reflect on the celebration, held Feb. 6.
The weather wasn't exactly parade weather, but as we all know, snow rarely stops anything in Boston — especially the celebration of a Patriots Super Bowl win.
Thousands of fans of all ages lined the streets. Friends came in groups, and parents brought their children — even if it was a school day.
Some watched from the second floors of buildings along the route.
As the air became colder and the snowflakes became larger, the crowd began to grow impatient. Is that them? people asked, only to be let down repeatedly by fleets of empty Patriots tour buses and police motorcades.
Finally, it was time.
Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans and the Boston Police Department led the way.
Crowd favorites were close behind, including:
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, holding the Lombardi Trophy,
Coach Bill Belichick,
Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady,
Placekicker Stephen Gostkowski,
And others from the all-star team, along with their friends and families.
Everyone rode in on the infamous duck boats.
And they did more than just smile and wave.
It was a moment of pride and joy for those in the parade as well as the spectators — one that hasn't grown old, even after the fifth time.
