Summer has just started, and the city is more than ready for the heat. Last Monday, the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the NBA Finals. It was a gentleman’s sweep and felt extra special because they closed out the series at home. The celebration in the city began then and peaked on Friday, when more than a million people came out for the victory parade.
Fans from all over Massachusetts gathered to catch a glimpse of the Celtics squad and celebrate the national victory. Swarms of people dressed in green flooded the streets for miles as the famous Duck Boats carried the national champions. Despite the massive crowd, everyone got along amicably, and there was a strong feeling of unity and pride in being a Celtics fan and part of such a wonderful city.
Winning their 18th NBA Finals banner, the Boston Celtics now hold the most championships in the league. This victory was particularly special as the last championship was back in 2008, with the legendary lineup of Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Kendrick Perkins. Fast forward to 2024, the Celtics were dubbed the best team in the NBA long before becoming the season’s champions. It was thrilling to see Jayson Tatum hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy on the float, accompanied by Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, veteran Al Horford, Jrue Holiday (celebrating his second ring, the first with the Milwaukee Bucks), and Derrick White, who even got his tooth fixed before the parade. The rest of the squad was there too, along with some familiar faces from the city.
Amid the Celtics’ celebrations, this past weekend saw several notable shows and events. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie performed at TD Garden the day before the parade, drawing a crowd of 20,000 people. This was a significant step up from his previous college shows. The show lineup also included NLE Choppa who has a steady fan base and has been appealing to young ladies. Mid-performance, A Boogie brought out local favorite Millyz, which was a great look for him, as it may have been the biggest crowd he’s ever performed in front of.
On Saturday, JOYNER FEST took place in Worcester at the Palladium outdoors. The lineup included Rotimi, Millyz, Conway the Machine, and more. Despite some rain, fans still turned up and had a good time. It’s great to see Joyner get love in his home city. Although Rotimi felt a bit random as an act, it makes sense that he was present, he and Joyner worked on a music video performance together. As a whole, the festival successfully created a space to enjoy the gritty sound and witty lines of the performers. History was also made that day, as council woman Julia Mejia declared June 22nd Joyner Lucas day. Making it the first time a hip-hop artist received this honor.
On the same Saturday, another big party, Day Trill, was happening in Providence, RI. Known as ‘the world’s best-kept secret,’ the event featured sounds provided by Dana Lu from NYC, Towfu from Boston, Where’s Nasty from Providence, and Silent Matic. People from Providence and Boston came out to enjoy the party. Like Joyner Fest, this event was also outdoors and hosted a crowd of about 400-500 people. The lineup of DJs created a fantastic vibe, with hits playing all night.
The first official day of summer, June 20th, came in hot, promising a busy and exciting season. Get ready for the heat and the activities because this summer is all about being outside.
photo credits: @tdvisualz @hdiamondpictures @kierstenelizabethphotography @youufirst 📷📸