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All you need to know for Tuesday’s Stanley Cup Championship parade

By Rachel Cohen

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June 11, 2018 6:56 pm

Tuesday, Caps fans finally get to officially celebrate what we’ve been waiting 43 seasons for: A Stanley Cup Championship.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to flock to the streets of the District of Columbia to view the Capitals’ Stanley Cup parade. Here’s is a compilation of what you need to know if you plan on joining in the festivities.

What time does the parade start? 11 a.m.

Where is the parade? The parade kicks off at 17th and Constitution Ave., and makes its way down Constitution Ave to 7th Street, culminating with a rally on the National Mall.

via DC Mayor Muriel Bowser:

How do I get to the parade? Fan are encourage to take public transit and/or Metro. Streets surrounding the parade route will be shut down, making driving into the District a living nightmare. Metro is preparing for the crowds, and plans on sending extra trains throughout the system. Trains will depart from the end of each line every 8 minutes, with some of the stations that will be seeing peak ridership have trains departing every 2-4 minutes.

via WMATA:

Metrorail will operate rush-hour service levels throughout the day Tuesday to accommodate thousands of fans expected for the Capitals’ victory parade in Downtown DC.

On Tuesday, the rail system will open at 5 a.m. with regular morning rush hour service. However, instead of scaling back during the midday hours, Metro will continue operating trains at those same rush-hour frequencies throughout the day and into the evening commute. Trains will depart end-of-line stations every 8 minutes, with service as frequent as every 2 to 4 minutes at downtown stations served by multiple lines.

Hundreds of additional Metro employees will be on hand to support the operation-including additional police, station managers, train operators, supervisors, and support staff to assist fans at downtown stations.

The busiest stations are expected to be Archives, Arlington Cemetery, Foggy Bottom, Federal Triangle, Metro Center, Federal Center SW, L’Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian, Union Station and Gallery Place. Metro recommends selecting a station near the parade route on the same line as where you start your trip.

Metro is advising attendees to ensure that your SmarTrip card is loaded with enough fare value to cover your entire roundtrip. You can check your balance or load additional value online at smartrip.wmata.com. (Expect lines at fare vending machines at stations closest to the parade.) As a reminder, each person traveling on Metro needs his or her own SmarTrip card.

As with any large-scale event, Metro Transit Police may make temporary changes to ensure your safety, including designating selected station entrances as “entry only” or “exit only,” or turning off escalators where crowding conditions warrant. If an individual station becomes overcrowded, trains may temporarily bypass it. In addition, crowding conditions on platforms may also cause Metro to slow train speeds as they enter selected stations, which may result in brief delays.

Regular weekday fare policies will be in effect: peak fares are charged before 9:30 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., with off-peak fares at all other times.

Metro parking lots and garages may reach capacity early in the day, and customers should have alternate parking locations in mind if needed. Parking fees are charged as vehicles exit Metro facilities.

What’s the weather supposed to be? BEAUTIFUL! Sunny skies and temps in the 70’s.

Prepare to be on your feet a lot, so wear comfy shoes. And don’t forget to pack your sunblock, hat, and plenty of WATER to drink (Not soda. Not beer. WATER.). As Coach Trotz would say… “stay hydrated”.

Who’s going to be in the Parade/Rally? The entire team, with their new best friend Stanley, of course. In addition to the Caps, expect appearances from some familar faces and well-known sponsors of the Caps, as well as members of the local community.

Vis the Caps, here is the full list of participants:

The Washington Capitals today announced the participants in the 2018 Championship Parade. In addition to the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Capitals players and coaches, the following people representing fans of all stripes from across the DMV will participate in the parade:

  • Four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the D.C. Air National Guard will fly over the parade with a path up the Potomac River, culminating near Independence and 23rd Street NW
  • Mayor Muriel Bowser
  • Members of the Washington, DC City Council
  • Eastern High School Blue and White Marching Machine Marching Band
  • Ballou High School Majestic Knights Marching Band
  • Longtime season ticket members who have had season tickets since the Capitals’ inaugural season in 1974
  • DC Fire Department Emerald Society Pipes & Drums
  • Monumental Sports & Entertainment owners and staff
  • Capitals alumni
  • Capital One Arena Ice Crew and Olympia ice resurfacers
  • Metropolitan Police Department
  • Arlington County Police Department
  • Washington Capitals Red Rockers
  • Slapshot
  • The broadcast voices of the Washington Capitals: Joe Beninati, John Walton, Alan May, Craig Laughlin, Al Koken, Tarik El-Bashir
  • 106.7 The Fan, official radio partner of the Washington Capitals
  • Elliot in the Morning’s Elliot Segal
  • Participation from Washington Capitals’ partners Budweiser, Capital One, Etihad Airways, Ford, Geico, Giant, Mars, Pepsi, Red River and the Washington Post
  • Capitals SuperFan Fatima Al Ali of the United Arab Emirates and Etihad’s Cabin Crew
  • Capitals game entertainment components

Tuesday’s parade will begin at 11 a.m. ET at Constitution Avenue and 17th Streets NW and will proceed along Constitution Avenue to 7th Street NW where it will turn right and culminate in an ALLCAPS rally at 7th Street NW and the National Mall.

The parade is free and open to all members of the public. Fans attending the parade are encouraged to take Metro or rideshare as parking is extremely limited near the parade route. Fans are also highly encouraged to bring plenty of water.

Fanatics merchandise stands will be located at 9th Street NW on the west curb and at 6th Street NW on the west curb so fans can purchase Stanley Cup Champion gear.

Ok, so the Rally is over. What should I do now?? Come to the RMNB After Party!! Several of our staffers will be in attendance. We’ll be hosting the afterparty at the Arlington Rooftop Bar, one block from the Courthouse Metro station. More details TBD.

What else should I do to prepare? Wear your favourite Caps gear (bonus points if it’s an RMNB shirt), and most importantly…. have FUN!

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