ARLINGTON, Texas — No surprise here: Texas Rangers fans were READY for the World Series parade Friday.
In fact, they were ready Thursday.
WFAA's Chris Sadeghi met a crowd of fans already lined up along the parade route, a spot they had been stationed at since 6:30 p.m. Thursday, nearly 18 hours before the parade is set to begin at 12:15 p.m.
The parade went along a 1.9-mile route from Globe Life Field, past AT&T Stadium and Choctaw Stadium, and then back around to Globe Field Field. Then the team hosted a rally and celebration on the north plaza of the stadium, near Texas Live!
Other fans in the area began showing up in the area around Globe Life Field around midnight and all through the early-morning hours.
By the time our WFAA Daybreak crew got set up and ready for the 5 a.m. show, you could barely hear Marc Istook and Greg Fields on location -- they were swarmed by screaming Rangers fans, who are still riding the high of the franchise's first World Series title.
Watch WFAA's live coverage of the Texas Rangers parade
Arlington Fire Department estimated between 500,000 and 700,000 people showed up for the parade! For context, the population of Arlington is nearly 394,000 people.
Here's a look at some of the sights and sounds from the parade scene on Friday:
Texas Rangers World Series Parade Updates
Corey Seager hits Alex Bregman with a "I guess we'll never know" reference at Rangers rally
Adolis García spoke on stage at the Texas Rangers 2023 World Series parade
Bruce Bochy speaks on stage at Texas Rangers rally
Fans chant "Let's Go Rangers" at World Series parade
Nathan Eovaldi speaks on stage at the Texas Rangers rally
Marcus Semien speaks on stage at the Texas Rangers rally
Ray Davis speaks on stage at the Texas Rangers rally
Chris Young speaks on stage at Texas Rangers rally
Texas Rangers hold up World Series trophy at Rangers rally
Fan climbs pole, steals banner at Texas Rangers' 2023 World Series parade
The Rangers rally begins at the 2023 World Series championship parade!
Nathaniel Lowe chugs a Modelo beer at the Texas Rangers parade
The Texas Rangers players' trucks come through the Texas Rangers' parade
Corey Seager's truck comes through the Texas Rangers parade
Mike Maddux truck comes through the Texas Rangers parade
Texas Rangers fans celebrate at the 2023 World Series championship parade
WFAA loves teachers like Mrs. Rosenbaum!
Arlington FD said about 500K-700K people are at the Texas Rangers parade!
Breaking down the Texas Rangers success during the 2023 championship parade
The Texas Rangers World Series parade has officially begun!
The Texas Rangers 2023 World Series parade is minutes away from starting!
WFAA gives a bird's eye view of what the 2023 World Series parade is going to look like
WFAA goes one-on-one with Marcus Semien before the parade
Rangers fans show up to the parade with some sweet signs!
WFAA goes one-on-one with Bruce Bochy
WFAA goes one-on-one with Jon Gray
Texas Rangers fans pour into Arlington waiting for the World Series parade!
Young fans are going crazy at the Texas Rangers World Series parade!
WFAA goes one-on-one with Jonah Heim
WFAA goes one-on-one with Evan Carter
WFAA goes one-on-one with Nathan Eovaldi
WFAA goes one-on-one with Jordan Montgomery
Eric Nadel talks about his excitement for the Texas Rangers winning the 2023 World Series
The 2023 World Series parade has begun in Arlington!
Texas Rangers fans are ready for the parade!
Rangers fans started grabbing their spots along the parade route
The party started long before the sun came up!
Arlington police are already seeing heavy traffic – so plan your travels accordingly!
Rangers fans belt Creed at 6:30 in the morning:
We found Jonah Heim's biggest fan, who wasn't missing this moment:
Rangers fans are fired up for the parade, even during Greg's weather hit:
These Rangers fans got there at midnight!
Greg Fields making sure the kiddos stay warm while celebrating the Rangers
Where can you park for the Rangers World Series parade?
The city says free parking will be available surrounding Globe Life Field, Choctaw Stadium. AT&T Stadium and the Esports Stadium Arlington + Expo Center and will open to the public at 8 a.m. Friday.
The Live! by Loews parking garage, Cowboys parking Lot 3, 4 and 5 and Rangers’ parking lots A, B, K, R and T, all of which are inside the parade route, will be closed to vehicles before and during the festivities.
The city says designated handicap parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Texas Rangers parking lost on the north, east and southeast sides of the parade route.
More Texas Rangers World Series coverage from WFAA: