PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Phillies are painting the town red.
Representatives of the team are going around the city on a double-decker bus to get fans pumped about Friday’s playoff game against the Cardinals.
They beat the Astros earlier this week, clinching their first playoff berth in 11 years.
The first stop on their celebratory bus tour was Thomas Mifflin Elementary in East Falls, where the kids were decked out in their Phillies red. Principal Leslie Mason promised them a special visitor, and she did not disappoint.
“The kids have been waiting and waiting when we first told them about it,” she said. “I kept saying, ‘a special guest, a special guest.’ I wouldn’t tell them. Their faces when they saw the Phanatic — they went crazy! They’re so excited.”
Mason even danced with the plush, green mascot.
“This is the kind of thing that builds community,” she added, “and we’re a community and a family, so this is great. We’re gonna keep it going, and the Phillies have to keep going all the way through.”
The bus tour will continue to make its way throughout town Thursday and Friday, stopping at:
The Town Center in King of Prussia, 11 a.m. Thursday
Fayette Street in Conshohocken, 1:30 p.m. Thursday
Chickie’s & Pete’s in Drexel Hill, 3 p.m. Thursday
Xfinity Live in South Philadelphia, 5 p.m. Thursday
Live! Casino & Hotel in South Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Thursday
Phily Sports Diner in Runnemede, New Jersey, 6:30 a.m. Friday
Reading Terminal Market in Center City, 8:30 a.m. Friday
Temple University, 10 a.m. Friday
Comcast Center Plaza in Center City, 11:30 a.m. Friday
Dilworth Plaza in Center City, noon Friday
Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, which will be in St. Louis, begins at 2:07 p.m. on Friday.
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