SF awash in balloons, banners for Giants parade

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The city of San Francisco is hours away from one giant party. That's when a million faithful fans will flood the streets to cheer on their World Series champs.

Massive screens, speakers, banners, balloons and barricades are in the streets in the Civic Center.

Just a little more than 24 hours after the Giants won the World Series, San Francisco has transformed Civic Center Plaza into an orange and black place to party.

Misuzu Toyama was camping out Thursday night at the Civic Center to make sure she gets the best spot to watch Friday's festivities.

"I want to thank the Giants," she said. "I want to be close."

All around her people are working to beautify or secure the plaza. Barricades went up on all streets surrounding the square and orange, black and white balloons are going up on every lamp post and flag pole.

Michael Gnam of The Balloon Lady said they had to order balloons last week. "Didn't know if they were going to win but had to order them. Glad it worked out," Gnam said. That's 6,400 balloons in the Civic Center and another 3,000 at the parade.

A company called The Parade Guys made the floats for the big event. Artists added finishing touches and they made preparations for the rain.

"The sensitive ones that we're afraid of getting too wet are staying inside and we will be bringing over at 5 in the morning, the rest are pretty water proof," said Stephanie Mufson, of The Parade Guys.

It seems nothing can dampen the spirits of Giants fans who are plotting to skip school and ditch work to join in the festivities.

"It's just a question of whether we also take the little one out of preschool after his Halloween parade to come down, I'm leaning toward, yes," said Michelle Erickson, a Danville resident.

After all, this doesn't happen every day, just three times in five years.