You’re invited! Raptors parade, rally on Monday

Preparations are underway for aMonday morning parade after the Toronto Raptors’ historic NBA Finals win, with thousands of fans expected to swarm the streets and join team players in a celebration.

The parade will depart from the Princes’ Gates at Exhibition Place at 10 a.m., before heading east on Lake Shore Blvd., then north on York St. and University Ave., before going to Nathan Phillips Square via Queen St. W. for a celebration rally from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Astage at the square will be set up, with entertainment provided, Mayor John Tory said. The championship parade will feature open-air doubledecker buses carrying the team with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. They will arrive at the square for the fan rally, which is expected to draw a huge crowd.

“We are so proud of our Toronto Raptors and this historymaking Finals run. On Monday, we get to come together as a city to celebrate the team,” Tory said in a statement. “Everyone is working together to make sure the parade will be a great and memorable event.”

Tory urged employers to give people time off work on Monday for the parade. “Let them celebrate!” he said. He was noncommittal on whether Drake or other celebrities would join the festivities.

“I hope he would be coming,” the mayor said.

In a news release Friday, Metrolinx warned GO Transit customers to plan ahead, as trains and platforms will be much busier on Monday. Metrolinx told customers to avoid travel during the morning or afternoon rush period if possible.

If needed, it said, extra GO trains will be available to shuttle fans from Union station to Exhibition, where the parade begins. Exhibition station will be very busy, so the public has the option of joining the festivities at Union, Metrolinx said.

Those looking to access Exhibition station are advised to check the schedules for Lakeshore West and some Lakeshore East trains. The Union Station bus terminal will remain open Monday, and all routes will run during the parade.

There will also be extra station staff and transit safety officers to “ensure everyone celebrates safely,” the agency said.