Astro fans showed up in packs for the 2017 World Series Parade to exemplify its appreciation. An estimated crowd of 750,000 speckled the streets of downtown Houston draped in orange, blue and white. They shouted, yelled, some overfilled with emotions, cried.
Who could argue with a city under siege traumatized by the worst flood in American history, Hurricane Harvey? Harvey brought gray clouds, winds that left catastrophe damage and torrential flooding in its wake. A pair of high-pressure air systems kept the stormy weather boxed in hovering over the greater Houston area for days, causing some areas to collect up to as much as 55 inches of rain.
Many fans, excited about today, crowed the street crossings of Walker and Smith as early as the night before. About a block away from where the 2:00 PM parade started. Kids shared in its fair share of fun as they played among each other with games and frequent feet chase.
Other conversations began with friendly smiles and the exchange of the Astros recent success. People greeted one another with hugs and laughter. You could feel the chemistry shared by the emotion-filled crowd.
With a city begging for healing, the timing could not have been better. All things positive made it that much better. Despite thousands of residents’ were reduced to rubble, fans refused to miss this historical event.
While many were at work, some never left the comfort of there homes, watching the live telecast on several local stations. Coverage included speeches from Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congress Woman Sheila Jackson Lee, Astros owner Jim Crane, and the Astro players among others.
Rice University, Texas Southern University and University of Houston bands’ provided entertainment as the crowd applauded. Other attractions caught the crowds attention as it responded with loud cheers.
And of course, the home team, the 2017 World Series Champion Astros, escorted by the Houston Fire Department, waved and shouted to the crowd.
Later, the best part of the evening took place outside of City Hall. With an outside stage surrounded by a host of security officers, the crowd watched and cheered loudly while taking in warm stories from Astro players.
The Astro organization’s fantastic story began six years ago in agonizing term oil. The team lost 324 games over three consecutive seasons before advancing to the playoffs in 2015.
Fast forward to the current, as the Houston Astros finally soak up the shinning moments by holding the World Series trophy predicted by Sports Illustrated in 2014.
A true story of ashes to the king of the throne.