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Filed Under:Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago City Council, Crestwood, Stanley Cup
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 24: A view of the Stanley Cup is shown following the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 24, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)A view of the Stanley Cup. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

CHICAGO (CBS) — The Stanley Cup drew a big crowd in southwest suburban Crestwood on Wednesday, as hundreds of Blackhawks fans waited in line – many of them for several hours – for a glimpse of the legendary trophy.

WBBM Newsradio’s Mike Krauser reports nearly 1,000 people showed up to see the Stanley Cup up close, as Blackhawks trainer Mike Gapski brought the cup to his hometown.

“There’s just something special about the Stanley Cup,” Brad Duff-Hudkin said. “You follow the stories of it every summer, on who has it, whose babies get baptized in it. It’s just, there’s something special about this.”

A marching band struck up the team’s goal celebration song “Chelsea Dagger” as Gapski brought the cup into Caesar Park, which was awash in Blackhawks red, white and black.

He said he felt like a rock star.

“It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “We’re coming here, the horn’s going, and people stopping on the street; it was nice.”

Some fans lined up at 4 a.m., seven hours before the cup arrived.

Meantime, the Chicago City Council paid tribute to the team at its first regular meeting since the Blackhawks won the cup.

Ald. Nick Sposato (36th) was among those offering praise for the team’s second Stanley Cup win in four years, but he also offered a note of caution.

“I just want to congratulate the Hawks family for a great season. I will ask you one favor, though. Don’t ever, ever let Justin Bieber back in the locker room,” he said.