By Eric Levenson and David Williams, CNN

(CNN) -- Eagles fans, still basking in the euphoria of the team's first-ever Super Bowl win, flooded Philadelphia on Thursday morning to experience the championship parade in what's expected to be a day for the ages in the City of Brotherly Love.

The 4.8-mile parade started at 11 a.m. ET, but fans in full Eagles regalia began gathering hours earlier as the sun came up.

Tim Norton, 29, said he arrived at about 6:45 a.m. Given the crowds, CNN asked him how long it took to get there.

"It took me almost 11,000 days to get this parade, and I enjoyed every second of it. GO EAGLES!!!" he said.

The parade was set to start at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, then head up Broad to City Hall before wiggling its way to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, home of the famous "Rocky" staircase. There, fans and coaches will give speeches and soak in the glory of their 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The excitement brought out colorful characters and outfits, including from Eagles defensive end Chris Long.

Offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski posted a picture of his teammate Jason Kelce in what he called the "parade mood."

Philadelphians riotously celebrated the championship in an impromptu gathering on Sunday night shortly after the game, but this day parade is expected to be less hilariously destructive.

Fans will be treated to a beautiful, chilly winter day, with a high of 33 degrees and a light breeze.

The Super Bowl win was a long time coming for Philadelphia fans. The team last won an NFL title in 1960 -- before the Super Bowl era.

After that long dry spell, fans along the parade route talked of sharing the celebration with their late loved ones. Some told CNN they'd even taken Eagles regalia to their grave sites to mark the big win.

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