Dodgers World Series parade: Thousands celebrate in the streets and at Dodger Stadium

Dressed as Lady Liberty in a Mookie Betts jersey with a Bible in hand, Raul Villa traveled overnight with his family of eight from San Diego to catch a glimpse of the World Series champion Dodgers.

“The Dodgers conquered New York, so I wanted to honor our own Lady Liberty,” he said. “I blessed her with a Dodger jersey… It wouldn’t be baseball if we weren’t giving another team a hard time.”

The 42-year-old Villa explained that his outfit represents liberty, but it’s also a playful jab at the New York Yankees.

“When it comes to the Dodgers, we don’t mess around,” Villa said.

A lifelong Dodger fan, Villa — whose devotion was passed down from his grandfather and parents — wouldn’t have missed this celebration for the world.

“We didn’t really embrace the last celebration like we should have,” Villa said, referring to the World Series title the Dodgers won in 2020. “This is our chance to show the world how strong Dodger fans are and how powerful Los Angeles is as a whole. We’re family, we bleed blue, and we love our Dodgers.”

The Navarro family traveled from the Inland Empire to see the Dodgers parade through Grand and Fifth — a trip that Neil, 42, never questioned making. He brought his two daughters along to join the celebration.

“I had to bring them here, and we had to celebrate,” Neil said. “On a scale of one to 10, I’m probably at 15 right now.”

His daughter, Noelani Navarro, 21, admitted she cried when the final out was made. Her sister, Jordynne Navarro, 19, added that the two watched every single game of the World Series superstitiously.

Excited for the victory, the sisters came for more than just a glimpse of the World Series trophy.

With hand-painted signs reading, “J Flare + Lux, we love U hotties” and “Banda mask on, shirt off,” they hoped a few Dodgers might lose their shirts along the parade route.

Noelani Navarro, 21, and her sister, Jordynne Navarro, 19, hold up signs at the parade celebrating their favorite Dodgers.

(Anthony De Leon / Los Angeles Times)

The parade was a family affair for three generations who camped out along the route. Daniel Galaviz, 38, and his mother, Dora Fernandez, 54, brought along Galaviz’s daughter, hoping she’d meet her favorite player, Clayton Kershaw.

“She probably went to more Dodger games than I did this year — at least 20,” Fernandez said. “She loves the Dodgers.”

The family traveled overnight from San Bernardino and Rialto, stayed downtown the night before, and set up with a table, camping chairs, and breakfast by 6:30 a.m.

Fernandez said her boss, knowing she’s a devoted Dodger fan, gave her the green light to attend the parade with her family.

Together, they attended Game 2 of the World Series, spending thousands of dollars and putting themselves “in the negative” for the experience. But they felt the trade-off was worth it for a championship.

“This is one of the best things ever,” Galaviz added. “Hopefully, there’s more to come — a dynasty.”