SEATTLE — Hundreds of thousands of Pacific Northwest fans of the NFL champion Seattle Seahawks will give their team a warm welcome Wednesday during a parade that otherwise will be very cold.
Temperatures along the southbound parade route of Fourth Avenue, from Denny Way to the north end CenturyLink Field via South Washington Street and Second Avenue, are expected to be about 34 degrees between the parade start, 11 a.m., and the end at 1:30 p.m.
A wind chill could make the temperature feel like the teens, the National Weather Service said.
The Seahawks organization is covering the costs of the parade, at which as many as 300,000 could show up, Seattle city officials said, using Seafair Parade attendance as a guide.
Along the parade route will be Seahawks team players, head coach Pete Carroll, Seahawks executives, Gov. Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray — all riding in the amphibious World War II vehicles operated by Ride the Ducks of Seattle.
“It’s good to be back in the Great NW #12s!” Carroll tweeted Monday night, referring to fans as the 12th Man.
“Can’t wait to celebrate with you all on Wednesday! Super Bowl Champs!!”
Also in the parade will be the Blue Thunder drumline, the costumed mascot Blitz and the Sea Gals cheerleaders, including Port Townsend native Brita Guthrie.
Centerpiece of the parade will be the Vince Lombardi Trophy, won by the team when it defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8 last Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, N.J. — where game temperatures were much warmer than Wednesday’s will be in Seattle.
A celebration rally will be held at CenturyLink Field following the parade. Season ticket holders received an email that allowed them to claim free tickets for the celebration until noon Wednesday.
Seats will not be assigned, and remaining free tickets will be offered to the public after noon.
The rally is expected to start around 2 p.m. at CenturyLink. Gates to the stadium will open at 10:30 a.m.
For those who don’t want to brave the elements in person, the parade will be televised live by at least three stations: KING-TV channel 5; KIRO-TV channel 7; and the NFL Network.
For those who do, North Olympic Peninsula 12th Man fans can park for a fee at Bainbridge Island and ride the state ferry for free eastbound to Colman Dock.
Bainbridge ferry departures for Seattle are at 9:40 a.m., 10:25 a.m. and 11:30 a.m..
There is a fare for walk-on passengers for the return (westbound) trip: $7.80 for adults and $3.90 for senior citizens and children 6-18 years.
