'I'm living a dream': Raptors victory parade takes over Toronto

Hundredsof thousands of ecstatic Raptors fans packed the streets of Torontoina mega-celebration Monday as the team's official NBA championship paradecrawledthrough the downtown area, culminating in a victory rally in Nathan Phillips Square.

Throngs erupted in cheeringand chanting for hours, zealously celebrating thehistoric NBA team and their new hardware, the Larry O'Brien Trophy.You can see a full recap atCBC's live blog here.

The champions smoked cigars and sprayed champagne on screaming fansasthe buses inched through the streets, arriving for the rally almost three hours behind schedule.

"I'm living a dream right now," Serge Ibaka, Raptors centre and power forward, said to CBC News whileatop one of thebuses carrying players and coaches.

Downtown Toronto was a sea of Raptors red and black,jammed withscreaming fanschanting "We the North" and "Let's go Raptors" and singing the national anthem.

Some people skipped school and work to be there,while others drove hours to witness the historic occasion.Nathan Phillips Square was at full capacity, the city said, andmassive crowds shut down several downtown subway stations.

Atsome points, police tried to keepback frenzied fans as they clamoured to catch a glimpse of the players.Some fans watched atop trucks and traffic poles.

The rally continued despite a shooting nearNathan Phillips Squarejust before 4 p.m. ET, which left fourvictims with non-life-threatening injuries.Police said that two firearms were recovered and threepeople were in custody.

Throughout the parade route, theteam and their familiesalong with the trophyrode atotal of five open-air, double-decker buses,which began at the Princes' Gates at Exhibition Place.

"This is the best thing I've ever seen in my whole life," said Raptors power forward PascalSiakam, who's known asSpicy P.

"I don't believe nobody went into work today," said Raptors superstarKawhiLeonard."Or they got the first few hours of the day off."

Fans weren't just cheeringfor the players.

NavBhatia, the well-known Raptorssuperfan, led the parade as grand marshal, travelling via golf cart and wearing a Raptors-branded championship turban as fans chanted his name.

Drake, the Raptors' "global ambassador," poured mixed drinks with players atop the bus. Meanwhile, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse waved to the crowds from the back of an open truck of his own.

Bagpipe players marched through the streets, and the Canadian Armed Forces joined the route. With the team around the corner, the Snowbirds performed a special Raptors flyby over Nathan Phillips Square.

"I've never felt this unity in our city ... in our country," said Raptors fan Liban Jobrio. Heleft Toronto years ago to move to Australia, but flew backas the Raptors neared the trophy.

"It's beautiful, man ... I'm speechless."

At the rally, Mayor John Tory presented theRaptors with the key to the city and announcedhe would rename a section ofBremner Boulevard as Raptors Way.

"What you have accomplished together is deserving of the highest honour that this city can offer," said Tory, presenting the key toLeonard.

"Every door in this city is open to you and your teammates. But if you find one that doesn't open, you call us and we'll look after it."

The crowd started chanting "stay" at Leonard.

Head coach Nick Nurse said he's "never seen anything like this parade and I'm sure I never will again."

"I think it was Bono who said the world needs more Canada," said Nurse. "The world just got it."

Several Raptors players addressed the crowdand thanked their fans. Kyle Lowrycalled the championship win a "long time coming."

• Follow CBC's Live Blog as the Raptors team parades through Toronto

"Enjoy this moment and have fun with it," said Leonard, who was uncharacteristically animated throughout the day. He finished his speech saying "aha, ha, ha, ha" a nod to his now-famous laugh at his introductory news conferenceand the crowd went wild.

Drake said this was one of themost important moments that he's ever been on stage, and encouraged crowd members to give each other hugs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeauand Ontario Premier Doug Ford were among the other dignitaries at the rally.

"The diversity this team represents is that of this entire country, this entire world ... and that's what we celebrate," Trudeau shouted.

Fans began filling the downtown area on the weekend, following Thursday's win over the Golden State Warriors. By 6 a.m. Monday, crowds werelining the parade route and spilling into Nathan Phillips Square, where Raps fans started camping out Sundaymorning.

Sam Tabit, from Etobicoke, stood outside from 6:30 a.m. waitingto see the Raptors drive by. He says it was worth it.

"This is the greatest moment in Canada, right now," he said.

"We're feeling like we're on top of the world right now," said the Raptors' only Canadian player, forward Chris Boucher, surrounded by family members.

During the parade, Leonard waved and grinned at the crowdas fans chanted "MVP," a reference to the star Raptors player winning most valuable players honours after the team wrapped up the NBA championship.

"The last few days have been amazing. No sleep. A lot of celebrating. And we're going to keep going," said Leonard in an interview atop the bus."Thank you Toronto. Thank you Canada for the support. We did it."

People waited for hours in the sun to welcome their champions.

Morteza Hashimisaid he grew up watching basketball and fell in love with the Raptors at a young age. He spent the night before the parade on the concrete of the square because he wanted to have an unobstructedview.

"It's really important because the amount of years we've spent watching this team, the amount of heartbreaks, the devastation that we've had in playoffs and the really bad years that we've gone through," Hashimi reflected.

Dave and Darren Pierre came from Ottawa, backpacks stuffed with blankets and supplies, to "witness Canadian history."

"I mean, this could be once in a lifetime. Having a championship in Toronto, especially in Canada, I just can't miss this," said Dave.

"I just want the best seat in the house. I want to be able to see it with my own two eyes," said Darren before the parade.

"It's something I've been waiting for since I was a kid. All that emotion, all that joy. Watching them over the years it's unbelievable."

Raptors players, coaches and staff started returning to the city on various flights on Saturdayto throngs of cheering fans gathered at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Since their Game 6 win over the Warriors last week, many players have been celebrating in Las Vegas alongside rapper Drake.

Maple LeafSports and Entertainment (MLSE), the corporation that owns the Raptors and hostedthe official championship parade and rally, expectedtwo million people to attend the event.