Portland throws the Super Bowl champions a parade.
By Kevin Mills
Staff Writer

PORTLAND – Closer was definitely better.

That was the mindset of Carole Torrey and Crystal Harkins Wednesday.

The two New England Patriots fans from Lisbon Falls wanted to make sure they had the best view when the Super Bowl champions came to town.

“We wanted to get as close as we could,” said Torrey. “Last time we were way back there.”

Torrey pointed toward Congress Street. That’s where she and Harkins watched the parade two years ago only to find they were too far from the stage to have a good view of the rally at One City Center.

“I had told her, ‘Let’s go down there,'” recalls Harkins. “‘That’s where they’re going to end up.’ We ended up climbing up a tree.”

“No way were getting up in that tree this year,” said Torrey.

Wednesday, they opted for less parade and more Patriots. Both were at Monument Square by noon and staked out a spot in the front row in front of the stage. By the time the rally began, they had scurried over the barricade and were just below the stage for the best possible close-ups anybody could get.

Patriots owner Bob Kraft as well as players Richard Seymour, Lonie Paxton, Kevin Faulk, Deion Branch and Ted Johnson were on hand. So were the two Vince Lombardi trophies, held high for all to see by Johnson and Seymour.

“It’s always good when you can share something that’s so prestigious throughout the league and be able to come to the other states and show it off,” said Seymour. “What’s it worth if you can’t share it with everybody. This makes it that much more important. It’s something we like to come out and do.”

The five Patriots and Kraft rode down Congress Street on a fire engine in front of an estimated 45,000 people. Throngs of fans sported Patriots garb and flashed signs that included “Belichick For President,” “Maine Loves A Pat On The Back” and “Portland Loves the Patriots.” There were even a few Patriot chants and a familiar one about the New York Yankees thrown in for good measure. A Jumbotron flashed Pats highlights and views of the parade and stage.

It was a reaction that overwhelmed even the players themselves.

“I really didn’t know what to expect,” said Seymour, who was part of the Super Bowl tour two years ago when players visited New Hampshire. “I didn’t know whether it was going to be a thousand or 10,000. It turned out to be a big event. We have some loyal fans here in Portland.”

The Patriots arrived at One City Center and were greeted by dignitaries that included Gov. John Baldacci. They were given a key to the city and an invitation for a return celebration next year.

“This is something we truly love to do and we’ll be glad to come back next year and do it again,” Seymour told the crowd, leading them in a chant of “Three” and emphasizing that he has plenty of fingers for more Super Bowl rings.

Branch helped cap off the rally by doing the chicken dance with Kraft to the tune of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” All the dancing that Kraft does at Patriots Super Bowl celebrations seems to be paying off.

“He’s been practicing,” said Branch. “That’s a plus for him. That’s good.”

Torrey had skipped work Wednesday to catch all the excitement and Harkins, her neighbor, had left school early. She bolted Lisbon High after going to an early class in which she had a report on Winston Churchill due.

“I got out at 9:10,” said Harkins. “The only reason why I went was to do a report and my friend wasn’t even there. I could have slept in.”

When they secured their front row spot at the 50-yard line of the barricade, they found Jan Crawford, a fellow Lisbon Falls resident. Two years ago, Crawford watched the rally from above One City Center as part of a tailgate party. So she wanted to make sure she had as good a view this time. She was there by 10 a.m. and not at all worried about not seeing the parade itself.

“I came early enough to get up here,” she said. “My husband (Bari Milliken) is taping it at home. I would rather be here.”

Crawford would have liked to have seen Adam Vinatieri return. She had taken pictures last year and presented them to him when he was back in Portland later in the year. Torrey was excited about seeing Faulk and Branch. Harkins wasn’t choosy.

“I like them all,” she said.

They weren’t disappointed, nor were the rest of the fan faithful in attendance. It had all the atmosphere of game day but on this occasion, everyone already knew the outcome.

“When you’re winning, all the good stuff never gets old,” said Branch. “The good stuff just continues and that’s a plus.”

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