By Khalida Sarwari and Tracey Kaplan
Confetti will blanket the streets of Oakland once again, as the city on Tuesday at 11 a.m. holds its third victory parade in four years to celebrate the Golden State Warriors. But this time, the gala event to revel in the team’s NBA Finals sweep Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers comes with a twist.
Instead of a traditional parade ending with speeches and a rally, there will be large Jumbtron-type screens set up along the route — featuring various members of the team talking in real time. The idea is for the parade to be “interactive.”
“So no matter where you are — along the parade route or near the end,” visitors will get to hear and see everything, said Justin Berton, spokesman for Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
A few lucky parade-goers will even get a chance to ask questions of the stars as employees of the entertainment company managing the event circulate with microphones.
“Players like Klay Thompson, they’ll be able to answer right away,” Berton said.
Raymond Ridder, the team’s vice president of communications, said the Warriors decided to break protocol to make the event “more exciting.”
“After chatting with many people and getting some input, we wanted to make it more intimate, free flowing and, frankly, more exciting,” Ridder said. “We will now have more fans along the parade route, creating more of a buzz, giving fans closer/direct access to players and, ideally, it will keep the event moving/flowing.”
According to the team, the parade will begin on Broadway at 11th Street, turning right on 20th Street, right on Harrison to 19th Street and right on Lakeside Drive, ending on Oak and 13th Street.
Using big screens also gives sponsors a way reach a huge audience and could help pay for the parade. Last year, the Warriors squabbled with the city over the bill for the 2017 NBA title parade, which was triple the estimate. The Warriors wound up paying more than $780,000.
But Ridder said the change in format has nothing to do with last year’s dispute with the city over the cost of the parade.
“After soliciting the input of many people regarding the format of the event, we wanted to make the championship celebration more intimate, unscripted, free flowing and, ultimately, more exciting,” Ridder said. “As a result, we will now have more fans along the parade route, creating a greater celebratory feel on the ground, giving fans closer and direct access to players, staff and legends. We look forward to a terrific day in Oakland with our incredible fans from all around the Bay Area.”
While the Warriors sprayed champagne to celebrate their victory in Cleveland, fans back in Oakland kicked off the celebration as soon as the game ended Friday night. Bursting out of sports bars and onto the streets of downtown, they danced and waved the Warriors flag, chanting “sweep.” Swaying back and forth, fans dribbled champagne and puffed on celebratory joints while others thrust brooms in the air while cars driving past honked their horns.
But despite the party swelling with each passing minute on 14th and Broadway, some fans said it didn’t seem as big as previous years.
On Tuesday, Warrior die hards are invited to begin lining up for the parade as early as 6:30 a.m. They are encouraged to bring sunscreen, hats and water but advised to leave alcohol, glass containers and folding chairs at home. Drones and fireworks also are banned.
Signs and banners are permitted as long as they don’t exceed 18 inches by 18 inches and don’t obstruct sight lines at the parade.
Those who can’t make it to the festivities can participate in other ways. NBC Sports Bay Area will stream the parade live online on the NBC Sports app and on TV beginning at 9:30 a.m. On the radio side, 95.7 The Game and the Warriors Radio Network will begin live coverage from the parade route at 6 a.m.
Public transit will likely be fans’ best bet for getting to the parade on time. BART suggests getting off at either the 12th Street or 19th Street stations in Oakland. More tips about taking BART to the parade can be found at www.BART.gov.
