c/p from tsn by the canadienpress.
MONTREAL -- They were predicting precipitation all day but it never wound up raining on the Montreal Alouettes' parade.

The only hint of inclement weather was the perfectly grey sky -- an ideal backdrop for celebrating a Grey Cup championship.

But when the downtown party ended and the streets cleared, the rains came down.

The toast of the Canadian Football League rolled down Ste-Catherine Street on flatbed trucks, cheered by boisterous crowds while the only raining clouds were the confetti that fluttered down from the rooftops.

Quarterback Anthony Calvillo said he felt fortunate to see such crowds sticking by the team after its string of disappointing playoff defeats earlier in the decade.

"You know it's been frustrating there for a few years," Calvillo said.

"But to do it back-to-back and to come out and see the appreciation from these fans on what was supposed to be a miserable day . . . we've been very blessed."

The Alouettes won their second straight championship last weekend but it's unclear whether the team will remain intact to challenge for a third straight year.