Toward the end of the parade route, 29-year-old Brian Campbell was with a group that had staked out their spots with lawn chairs at 6 a.m.

"We knew it was going to be packed by noon," Campbell said. "We've got no problem waiting seven hours for five minutes of the parade to go by."

His brother Kyle, 26, took a day off from work to join the fun.

"I told my boss he could fire me, but I can't miss this," Kyle Campbell said.

Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to shower the Phillies with brotherly love during the 90-minute procession as it makes its way about four miles to the sports complex in South Philadelphia. There, the team will be greeted by another hundred thousand fans watching the festivities on big screens at the city's baseball and football stadiums.

Team officials said Phillies players will attend a rally at Citizens Bank Park and make a brief appearance at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play.

Nutter cautioned fans against the scattered vandalism that marred the revelry after the Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays for the title late Wednesday. Police reported 76 arrests and several vandalized businesses; they are also examining photos and video of the crowds to identify and arrest additional offenders.

"You can be joyous; you cannot be a jackass," Nutter said. "That kind of idiotic, destructive behavior will not be accepted in the city of Philadelphia."

Officials also stressed the importance of using public transportation Friday, though they cautioned that buses, trains and subways are likely to be operating at full capacity.

"Patience is going to be critical, and frankly so is common sense," said Rina Cutler, deputy mayor for transportation.

The last time a Philadelphia team won a major championship was in 1983, when the 76ers won the NBA title. The Phillies won their only other World Series in 1980.