HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut will get a chance to celebrate the University of Connecticut Men's Basketball NCAA Champions on Saturday with a parade in downtown Hartford.
Gov. Ned Lamont said Tuesday that the State of Connecticut, the City of Hartford, and the Hartford Business Improvement District will host a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Saturday, April 8, to congratulate the UConn men’s basketball team for winning the 2023 NCAA National Championship.
UConn won its fifth men’s basketball national title Monday night after a 76-59 victory over San Diego State University at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will step off from the State Capitol building at the intersection of Trinity Street and Elm Street.
From there, it will proceed north on Trinity Street, go through the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch, turn right (east) onto Jewell Street, turn left (north) onto Trumbull Street, and end at the intersection of Asylum Street and Trumbull Street.
The rally will begin at approximately 12 p.m. and will be held outside of the main entrance of the XL Center on Trumbull Street, where the players, coaches, and other guests will be invited to give speeches.
Aaron Boisvert with the Hartford Police Department is expecting around several thousand attendees.
"The city of Hartford is pretty excited about this this is always a good event," Boisvert said.
There will be various road closures in the Downtown area from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional Parade resources can be found here.
The Hartford Yard Goats also play the Bowie Baysox in an opening weekend game on Saturday, with a first pitch time of 1:10 p.m. Dunkin' Park gates open at 11:30 a.m.
As a result of these events, there will be heavier than usual vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout the Downtown area.
"We’ve had these in the past we haven’t had issues. Everyone wants to have a good time," Boisvert added. "It’s the morning; I don’t expect a lot of alcohol consumption. We're prepared for anything. This is the city of Hartford, we deal with big events all the time."
Traffic delays will likely occur due to the number of attendees expected for these events.
“The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team has been a dominating force in the NCAA tournament, and it will be an honor for us to welcome the coaches and the players to downtown Hartford and give them the celebration they deserve,” Lamont said.
According to FOX61 meteorologist Ryan Breton, the weather on Saturday in downtown Hartford looks great!
In celebration of the win, The Hartford will change the lights atop the tower building in Hartford to blue and white Tuesday night.
Husky fans on the Storrs campus will be heading to Hartford to continue their celebrations.
"All my friends are texting in the group chat we’re all going we’re all going to Hartford," Mondo Fabrizi, a sophomore, told FOX61 on Wednesday. "All I know is that me and my friends are bringing the energy and the rest of the huskies fans will bring the energy as well."
"Connecticut culture is UConn culture so we’re all so excited," said Jasmine Morris, a senior, on Wednesday. "We were hoping for a championship ring when we graduate all my friends packed into my friends dorm room and watched as a group and we finally got that ring."
Parade and rally organizers are relying on private donations and business sponsorships to finance the event. No state or city funding is used.
Doug Stewart is the Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com
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