Join the Celebration

From your Chicago Tribune:

Friday's events will begin at U.S. Cellular Field at 35th Street and Shields Avenue, officials said. Players, families and front office staff of the White Sox will leave from the ballpark in trolleys and double-decker buses about 11 a.m.

The motorcade will wend through Bridgeport, Chinatown, Bronzeville, Pilsen, Greektown and Chinatown before ending up at noon in front of the Board of Trade Building at LaSalle and Jackson Streets in the Loop.

The motorcade will re-form as part of a parade that will head north on LaSalle. In addition to whatever comes from windows of office high rises, confetti from "cannons" positioned along the street will launch shreds of paper.

The parade will end at a temporary stage set up at Wacker Drive and the Chicago River at the north end of downtown. The stage will face south on LaSalle. Fans will gather on the street and sidewalks east and west along Wacker and south down LaSalle.

At least two Jumbo Tron television screens will be erected along LaSalle so those who can't get close to the stage can see what is happening, said James Law, the city's special events director.

Speakers at the victory celebration are expected to include Guillen, Reinsdorf, Daley and selected players.

Law said the city also was "looking into" possibly having former Journey lead singer Steve Perry as a part of Friday's festivities. Journey was the band that recorded "Don't Stop Believin'" 24 years ago. Sox players adopted the tune as their unofficial theme song for their victorious 2005 season.

The rally is expected to wrap up around 12:45 p.m., CLTV reported.

The specific motorcade route was still being mapped out this afternoon.