MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers fans flocked to the streets of Milwaukee early Friday morning in anticipation of a parade celebrating the team's first World Series title. Following a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, the Brewers clinched the championship in five games, fulfilling a long-awaited dream for their devoted supporters.
To accommodate the celebrations, Milwaukee Public Schools canceled classes on Friday, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the festivities. The parade, which ran through downtown Milwaukee, culminated with a fan fest at Henry Maier Festival Park, a scenic location near the shores of Lake Michigan.
Excitement was palpable as thousands of fans began to gather hours before the parade, aiming for the best views along the route on Wisconsin Avenue. This path bore similarities to that taken by the Brewers in 1982, when they celebrated after losing the World Series in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals. It wasn’t until this year that the Brewers returned to the Fall Classic.
Kasey Diedrich, who is among the many fans celebrating, shared his long journey as a Brewers fan. Having attended his first game at the age of four in 1983, a year after their last World Series outing, he expressed disbelief at finally witnessing the Brewers win it all. "I don’t think we still think it happened. It seems like a dream," he said.
Accompanying him at the parade was his father, Mark Diedrich, a 76-year-old long-time fan and partial season ticket holder since the 1980s. Mark reminisced about his memories from attending games at County Stadium, highlighting famed moments, including witnessing Hall of Famer Robin Yount achieve his 3,000th hit in 1992. "We could tell you stories for days of all the games we went to," he remarked, recalling opening days complete with ice on the stadium steps.
Mark proudly showcased a photo taken during the World Series, illustrating a bucket list that included attending an All-Star Game, seeing the Rolling Stones, and witnessing back-to-back World Series appearances by the Brewers. With the family having checked off the All-Star Game and Rolling Stones concert, they were elated to add the Brewers' World Series triumph to their list. "Unbelievable," he concluded, wearing a Jackson Chourio T-shirt.
The Diedrich family was not alone in their multigenerational support for the team. Craig Muehl, 42, from the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield, shared that his Brewers fandom was passed down from his father. He woke up early Friday to bring his young son and daughter to the parade. "It all started, just like many families around here, sitting outside in the summer and fall," Muehl reflected, emphasizing the amount of time spent with Brewers games on the radio during family outings.
Several Brewers players also participated in the celebration, attending a Thursday night Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field. They received a warm welcome, particularly when pitcher Brandon Woodruff appeared with the Commissioner’s Trophy. Some players even attempted a "Lambeau Leap" into the crowd, with outfielder Sal Frelick executing it successfully. They cheered on fans while donning cheeseheads adorned with the message, "2026 WS Champions."
Given the magnitude of the event, a robust police presence is anticipated to manage the large crowds and intense traffic as fans celebrate their team’s historic achievement. The Milwaukee Brewers franchise began as the Seattle Pilots in 1969, moving to Milwaukee and rebranding as the Brewers the following year.
This World Series title marks the second time Milwaukee has celebrated a championship, with the Milwaukee Braves previously winning the 1957 World Series against the New York Yankees before relocating to Atlanta in 1966.
