Cheering an MTA bus

Fans along the barricades of the parade route — many here since before sunrise — have begun to chant at anything they can. An MTA bus stopped to let off workers. "San-it-ta-tion," the fans cheered, although it was unclear if the workers actually were employed by the Department of Sanitation.

Later, a boy using a wheelchair was escorted by police down Broadway and fans gave him a big round of applause.

Reginald Clark rattled off the names of the Knicks of old, and recalled memories of growing up playing ball on the courts in Brooklyn. But the reason he went from his late-night job straight to the parade route at 4 a.m. cut deeper.

"It all started with my mom," Clark said about his fandom. "I’m out here representing for Momma Clark," he said. "She is 92."

Ed Zaldivar, 50, of Jersey City, booked a hotel near the route to stay with his family. He said his fandom has led many to be fed up with him.

He put in for time off at work. He put on hold visiting relatives in Texas (who understood). And he packed into the hotel room with his family and friends on Thursday.

"I’ve been waiting for this my whole life," Zaldivar said.