Celtics Celebrate 18th NBA Championship With Duck Boat Parade In Boston

The Boston Celtics celebrated their record 18th NBA title with a duck boat parade in Beantown on Friday to mark the 13th championship won this century by one of the city’s franchises four professional sports leagues.

Boston Celtics players, coaches, and ownership group members held up the Larry O’Brien Trophy

The Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox have all commemorated championships by driving around Boston in duck boats — amphibious vehicles which are typically ridden by sightseeing tourists.

Starting at TD Garden, the championship parade lasted roughly 90 minutes. The duck boats first turned onto Causeway Street in front of the arena, then turning down Boylston Street, and ending at Hynes Convention Center.

“It’s unbelievable. It still doesn’t seem true. But just trying to stay in the moment,” five-time All-Star forward Jayson Tatum said during a pre-parade rally at the Garden.

Tatum, triumphant. pic.twitter.com/Z3o9YZUgfi

— Maddie Khaw (@MaddieKhaw) June 21, 2024

Boston is thriving. pic.twitter.com/zguV9gfI0Y

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) June 21, 2024

An hour before the parade, the heat didn’t slow down any C’s fans on Causeway Street. Fans had already taken to climbing on poles and streetlights, chanting “F—k Kyrie [Irving].”

Wyc Grousbeck, the Celtics’ majority owner, walked down Causeway Street with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy to the amusement of parade-goers Friday morning.

Celtics public address announcer Eddie Palladino got the festivities started by introducing Massachusetts governor Maura Healey, with Boston mayor Michelle Wu standing nearby.

“We are in love with this team,’’ Healey said. “Basketball is a team game, everybody has a role, everybody has a part … and as great as they are on the court, these men are better as human beings.”

Boston celebrated its first NBA title since 2008

The Celtics celebrated their first NBA championship since 2008.

“It’s a great day in the city of Boston. This team has solidified itself as one of the greatest in the history of the league,” Wu said. “This is a championship city; we’ve had these parades before. This one is quite special. … To all the other fans who chanted ‘We want Boston,’ I can’t blame you. Because who wouldn’t? Go Celtics. Go Boston.”

According to The Boston Globe, a couple were scheduled to get married in Boston during the parade. Justin Barnard, 29, of Cambridge, and Cailyn Masson Barnard, 25, of Somerville, were slated to get married at City Hall.

Scenes from the parade. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/rgEQpY5jyD

— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) June 21, 2024

Sam Hauser taking off his shirt 💀💀💀

Now it's a party pic.twitter.com/Pd8hZqAUnf

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 21, 2024

When the parade was scheduled at the same time as their wedding, the city called, offering to reschedule. However, the couple embraced the celebration instead.

”We wanted it to be during the parade,” Barnard said, as the couple got photos taken near Government Center.

The couple is reportedly having a bigger wedding in December, but their parents were there for their elopement.

”We’re big Boston fans,” said Masson Barnard.

”We’re absolutely big Celtics fans now,” said Barnard, who added a green tie to his wedding outfit.

Furthermore, Rhode Island governor Dan McKee also announced that Friday is officially Joe Mazzulla Day in the Ocean State. “Coach – thank you for embodying the spirit of our state through leadership, toughness, and dedication,” McKee wrote on X.