School’s out, work can wait, and yup Laker fans were out and about. Over 250,000 fans sacrificed Wednesday to attend the Laker championship celebration in the heart of LA. Yes, it must truly be difficult to come out when the sun’s shining and the feeling of victory is still pumping through their veins. Fans found a way to justify their attendance by reveling in the camaraderie of a common thread, priding on their city’s championship team and thrilled for the opportunity to celebrate with the players, coaches, and fellow fans. A sea of purple and gold cheered on the Laker squad as the bus drove down Figueroa, and ended the whole shebang for the first time inside the Coliseum. Celebration-goers were serenaded by the oh-too-familiar Newman’s “I Love LA” anthem, inspired by lots of chest-pounding, clapping, trophy raising from players, and promise of future victories. But unfortunately, no killer dance moves from any of the bench mob to be seen. Mark Madsen, you are missed. Hey, the parade may have footed a bill for 2 million dollars if not more, caused a flood of traffic nearly impossible to bypass, ramped up security and a small handful of arrests and broken barriers, but ask any Laker fan out there and they’ll tell you it was all worth it.

Exclusive fan photos courtesy of Susan at Shinobi Studios.