Women's World Cup

Red, white and blue: my first ticker-tape parade

Posted

A seemingly never ending sea of red, white, and blue. That’s what I saw at the ticker-tape parade in downtown Manhattan last Friday, honoring the Women’s national soccer team, which, on July 5, defeated Japan, 5-2, to win the Women’s World Cup.

The morning westbound train, typically filled with businessmen and women, were, on this day, accompanied by a plethora of soccer fans decked out in their patriotic attire — from soccer jerseys, to red, white and blue clothes, to simply wearing the American flag.

Outside, families and fans lined Broadway — in the “Canyon of Heroes” — ready to cheer on their champions, and to feel a sense of camaraderie and American pride.

In addition to this being my first ticker-tape parade, this was also my first ever New York parade. Typically, I would be in sweatpants watching it from the comfort of my home, but being there, in the city with thousands of people, was a much better experience. Here you were able to feel the electricity in the air. The anticipation and excitement was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

The enthusiasm made perfect sense; this was the first ticker-tape parade in New York City since the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, and the first such parade here for a women’s sports team ever.

The “USA!” chants came in swells. It became louder and louder throughout the day, with everyone around you shouting at the top of their lungs, a continuation of the previous weekend’s Fourth of July celebration, minus the fireworks.

Instead of fireworks, the sky was graced with ticker-tape, confetti and shredded paper that was flung out of office windows, as those in the business district took a break from their busy days to join in on the festivities.

At some points it almost looked as if it was snowing. A Christmas in July, for soccer fans. The streets — and my hair —were coated in endless amounts of paper.

The screams from supporters hit a peak as the celebrated athletes passed them by. Not surprisingly, smart phones were at the ready as everyone tried to get a photo to immediately share with their social media network.

And what a beautiful day to get these photos! The sky was beautiful, bright blue and, appropriately, the Freedom Tower glimmered in the distance.

The celebration for this iconic group of female athletes clearly showed that they are trailblazers for young athletes and for the sport of soccer in America. I’m so elated that my first New York parade was one that will go down in the history books.