Philly salutes Taney Dragons with parade, cheers, gratitude

Taney Fever is still sizzling hot.

On Wednesday, hundreds lined South Broad Street to take in a “rolling” parade celebrating the Dragons’ historic Little League World Series run.

Many in the cheering crowd shook signs and snapped cell phone photos as the middle-school media darlings waved from motley floats.

Center City resident Kathleen Anderson was among those who gathered by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. She said the team was a much-needed bright spot.

“They brought a lot of joy to the city and some unity during a hard summer, and they brought all of these people out to have a good time and support them. So I think they brought a lot of hope too,” said Anderson.

Mount Airy native Milt Colston, who stopped by the parade before heading back to work, wholeheartedly agreed.

“A lot of our time is spent watching the news, watching the negative about young people, about what’s going on in our communities,” he said. “And this is the one time where we have some positive things in the community and I can’t see how anyone would miss the opportunity to be out here and be a part of this.”

The roughly four-mile parade featured performances by The Philly Pops and the Mummers before ending with a short rally at FDR Park in South Philadelphia.

The Dragons’ Little League World Series run captivated the city and the nation.

Behind the pitching of Sports Illustrated cover girl Mo’ne Davis, the team earned a coveted spot in South Williamsport.

The Dragons fell one-game short of reaching the U.S. Championship game. That still makes them the third best Little League team in the country.

And champions in the eyes of their hometown.