Thousands of soccer fans filled the streets of Vancouver Tuesday for the final edition of the city’s now-famous Last Mile march, turning the walk to BC Place into one last World Cup celebration. Hours before kickoff, supporters gathered at Science World before making the trek up Main and Quebec streets and left on Pacific Boulevard toward the stadium. The crowd was dominated by Colombian fans dressed in yellow, creating a festive atmosphere that featured singing, dancing, flags and plenty of photo opportunities along the route. Fans travelled from around the world to be part of the experience, with some making the journey from as far away as Boston. Others pushed through injuries, including one man requiring a crutch just to take part in what had become a signature part of Vancouver’s World Cup festivities. The march wasn’t just about celebration. Vancouver police were also seen helping reunite a lost young boy with his family amid the large crowd. Vancouver Host Committee lead Jessie Adcock said the Last Mile served two main purposes: helping safely move thousands of people to BC Place while creating a memorable experience for supporters. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. People have been waiting in some cases their whole lives to attend a World Cup, so you really want to honour that moment,” Adcock said. With Vancouver’s World Cup matches now complete, organizers say road closures and traffic detours around BC Place should be lifted within the next few days. TransLink says most modified bus routes are expected to return to normal by July 12. The transformation of BC Place back to its pre-World Cup setup is also underway, with the exterior fencing surrounding the stadium expected to be removed before the end of the week.
