Milwaukee schools close as fans celebrate first modern World Series title

Milwaukee Public Schools closed their doors on Friday to let residents join a street celebration. The break gives workers and students time to watch a parade that will move through the city center. The event concludes with a fan fest at Henry Maier Festival Park near Lake Michigan.

The Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 on Wednesday to win their first championship in the franchise's modern era. The team clinched the World Series in five games. This victory ends a long wait for fans in the small-market city, which had not reached the Fall Classic since 1982.

Thousands of people gathered on Wisconsin Avenue hours before the procession began. They sought prime viewing spots for a route that mirrors the path taken by the 1982 team. That group marched after a seven-game loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The current parade marks the club's first title celebration in its current form, having originated as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 and moved to Milwaukee in 1970.

Mark Diedrich, 76, attended the event with his son Kasey. Mark has held partial season tickets on and off since the 1980s. He owns seats from the old Milwaukee County Stadium where he watched Robin Yount reach 3,000 hits in 1992. "We could tell you stories for days of all the games we went to," Mark Diedrich said.

The family wore shirts listing bucket-list items, including seeing the Brewers in back-to-back World Series. They have already attended an All-Star Game in 2002 and a Rolling Stones concert. "Unbelievable," Mark Diedrich said. "You just never thought it would happen. But it did."

Craig Muehl, 42, from Brookfield, brought his young children to the parade. He said his father played Brewers games on the radio during their travels. "It all started, just like many families around here, sitting outside in the summer and fall," Muehl said. "My dad had the Brewers game on the radio everywhere we went."

Team captain Christian Yelich and Cy Young Award contender Jacob Misiorowski visited Lambeau Field on Thursday. They received applause during a Packers game. Pitcher Brandon Woodruff carried the Commissioner's Trophy into the stadium. Outfielder Sal Frelick successfully jumped into the crowd. Players later appeared on the video board wearing cheeseheads that read 2026 WS Champions. Police expect large crowds and heavy traffic during the event.