Milwaukee closing schools for Brewers' long-awaited World Series title parade Friday

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee could come to a standstill as fans celebrate the Brewers' first World Series title.

Thousands of fans are expected to line the streets for a victory parade on Friday, forcing the state's largest school district in Milwaukee to close because of operational and safety concerns.

The small-market Brewers gave their long-suffering fans the title they had been waiting for with a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, clinching the series in five games.

Thousands of Brewers fans filled the Trop — nearly outnumbering Rays' fans — and celebrated from the stands after the final out. Thousands more celebrated back in Milwaukee, where the party will continue with Friday's parade.

Milwaukee Public Schools canceled classes on Friday, allowing fans to enjoy the parade that will run through downtown and conclude with a fan fest at Henry Maier Festival Park, not far from the shore of Lake Michigan.

Michael Maxwell, the presiding judge in neighboring Waukesha County, declared Brewers attire will be formally considered "in compliance with professional decorum expected of courtroom staff, litigants and attorneys appearing before the court" through the conclusion of the victory parade.

One fan who joined the queue to get tickets for the rally at American Family Insurance Amphitheater said he was behind 34,000 people — at 8 a.m.

A large police presence is expected for the parade to handle the big crowds and heavy traffic.

The franchise originated as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 before moving to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers the following year.

Milwaukee has celebrated a World Series title once before. The Milwaukee Braves won the 1957 World Series over the New York Yankees before moving to Atlanta in 1966.