Seattle Storm celebrate title with festive parade and rally

Seattle – Thousands of Seattle Storm fans turned a parade and rally to celebrate the team’s third WNBA Championship win into a raucous love fest Sunday.

Onlookers stood four deep alongside a mile-long parade route as players greeted them, snapped photos and took turns holding the Championship trophy. KeyArena was half-filled with about 4,000 fans for an acknowledgement that the team didn’t get when they beat the Washington Mystics last week, in Washington D.C., for the crown.

During the rally, each player addressed fans. Sixteen-year veteran Sue Bird announced she would return for a 17th season in 2019. Later, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan declared that the street in front of the arena would be renamed Seattle Storm Way.

Dan Hughes walks into KeyArena to begin the Storm rally. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Crystal Langhorne is in a celebratory mood. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Alysha Clark snaps a picture of herself and the Championship trophy. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart enters to cheers. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Sue Bird hoists the trophy. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Jordin Canada and Crystal Langhorne laugh as they are on social media during the event. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The Seattle Storm’s three Championship trophies. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart and Alysha Clark hold up Sue Bird’s mask. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announces that the street in front of KeyArena will be renamed Seattle Storm Way. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Alysha Clark and Crystal Langhorne pause for a photo. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart and Alysha Clark wait to hear if Sue Bird will return for the 2019 season. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Sue Bird announces she will return for the 2019 season. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Confetti drops as balloons are released. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart holds up a broom to indicate the Storm’s sweet in the Finals. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Coach Dan Hughes speaks to fans. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Several thousand fans cheer during the ceremony. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Crystal Langhorne hoist the trophy. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Crystal Langhorne, Breanna Stewart and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis pose with the trophy. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart greet the crowd. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The proceedings culminated with a confetti drop and the release of balloons. Of the three WNBA Championships the Storm have won, only one – in 2004 – was at home.

Sunny skies prevailed for the parade, save for a brief shower when the team arrived at the Arena.

Storm players prepare to step on to the float and begin the celebration parade. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Storm players as the parade begins. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Fans were lined 3-4 rows deep along the parade route to cheer on the Storm. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Jewell Loyd snaps a photo. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The player trolley passes by the Space Needle. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Coach Dan Hughes takes it all in. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Seattle police chief Carmen Best and Mayor Jenny Durkan were on hand for the parade. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The Storm’s three co-owners celebrate. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Doppler, the Storm’s mascot, rallies fans. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The Storm’s front office. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The Parade makes its way along Denny Ave. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Coach Dan Hughes waves to fans. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart gives Sue Bird a gift from a fan. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Sue Bird snaps a photo. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Player float in front of Seattle Center. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Noelle Quinn hugs her mother along the parade route. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart greets the crowd. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart enters KeyArena. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The day started for the team with the raising of the Storm flag atop the city’s famous Space Needle. Players each pulled the flag up a few notches, ending with regular-season and Finals MVP Breanna Stewart, and then Bird for the final pull.

Players wait to take the elevator to the top of the Space Needle. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Players, coaches and staff ascend in the elevator. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Natasha Howard reaches the top of the Space Needle. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Crystal Langhorne poses with the trophy. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Jewell Loyd and trophy against the Seattle skyline backdrop. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Coach Dan Hughes and his wife Mary. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Jordan Canada braves the wind to help hoist the Storm flag. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Natasha Howard hoists the flag. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Noelle Quinn takes a turn hoisting the flag. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Alysha Clark takes a turn. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Courtney Paris gives a pull or two. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Crystal Langhorne helps hoist the flag. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Sue Bird helps raise the flag to the top. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart takes a turn. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The Seattle Storm pose with the trophy after the flag-raising is complete. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

Breanna Stewart takes a selfie. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The flag is raised. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

The Seattle Storm flag flies atop the Space Needle. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.

A closer view. Neil Enns/Storm Photos.