PHILADELPHIA --- Manager Charlie Manuel hoisted the World Series trophy Friday as players basked in a swarm of confetti, the Phanatic mascot danced, and hundreds of thousands of Phillies fans roared in celebration of the city's first major sports championship in 25 years.

Left fielder Pat Burrell led the procession, riding a horse-drawn carriage and pumping his fists. Next came eight flatbed trucks filled with waving players and other members of the Phillies organization, including the furry green mascot.

Throngs packed downtown sidewalks, making them almost impassable. Fans climbed trees, hung out of windows, watched from balconies, carried stepladders and stood on roofs to get a better view.

Outfielder Shane Victorino tossed soft pretzels to the crowd while shortstop Jimmy Rollins turned his video camera on the gathering.

World Series MVP Cole Hamels tried to fist bump a fan dressed like Philly's favorite fictional boxer, Rocky Balboa, but authorities intervened before they could pull it off.

The last time a Philadelphia team won a major title was 1983, when the 76ers earned the NBA crown. The Phillies won their only other title in 1980. Current pitcher Jamie Moyer, who grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, remembers skipping school to attend that year's parade.

"This is unbelievable. I'm starting to understand what it's really all about here," Moyer told The Associated Press as he rode down Broad Street. "I was at the parade in 1980 and that was pretty exciting, but today tops it by far."

The Phillies greeted tens of thousands of fans who had watched the parade on big screens at the city's baseball and football stadiums. The team first stopped at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play.

The Phillies then headed to their home field of Citizens Bank Park, which was about three-quarters full of fans waving "Fightin' Phils" rally towels.

Organizers couldn't have asked for better weather, as the parade was met with sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s.

Nick and Patricia Gavin, of suburban Delaware County, who were children when they attended the 1980 festivities, brought their own on Friday. Jaclyn, 10, planned to dress as a Phillies ball girl later in the day for Halloween, but 8-year-old brother Nicholas was too excited about the World Series win to think about trick-or-treating.

"This made me forget about Halloween," he said.