"No one's really said anything," Papelbon said of his expectations. "I think they just want to let me experience it on my own. We're going to have a great time. We're going to party out, party out."

The man who popularized the "Riverdance" in each Red Sox postseason celebration summed up the general sentiment of the Red Sox owners, management and players who got on more than 30 Duck Boats and began parading down Boylston Street just after noon ET.

Red Sox principal owner John Henry, president/CEO John Henry and chairman Tom Werner were among the first to lead the three-mile procession toward City Hall.

Before the rally, players spoke to a gathering of fans behind the first-base dugout at Fenway Park for more than an hour before getting on the vehicles that would take them on the streets.

At least one million fans were expected to line the streets for the celebration, which was held under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s.

Mike Petraglia is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.