Hockey fans from near and far flocked to Cole Harbour, N.S., on Saturday to embrace the opportunity to watch Sidney Crosby hoist the Stanley Cup.
"I've watched him all of my life,” said fan Lucas White. “We come from Wisconsin ... we were at his camp this week."
"It's cool that he came down here to do a parade because he grew up – in Cole Harbour," said another young fan.
Before the parade began, Crosby took time to sign some autographs – a moment the kids say they’ll never forget.
The event was especially magical for families.
"He's just amazing,” said parent Tracy Axford. “He's such a great role model for the young kids growing up, and even teaching us."
After a 45-minute parade down Cumberland Drive and Forest Hills Parkway, the Cup ended up at Crosby's childhood arena, in Cole Harbour Place, where he spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of about 30,000 fans."
"It's a real love affair between this community and him, but also him and this community,” said TSN hockey analyst Gord Miller. “When he says he's going home, he means Cole Harbour."
Crosby says as far as he's concerned, Cole Harbour will always be home.
"You guys don't understand,” said Crosby to the crowd. “I know I'm far away, but I can always feel the support no matter where I go. And it's a special place. I'm glad to come back here and hope we can do this again, so thank you very much.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Allan April.
