Area residents came out in force on June 17 to celebrate the Detroit Pistons NBA World Championship victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills at a fan appreciation rally.
Over 22,000 residents, parking any place they could find space including Palace entrances and entrance and exit ramps on I-75, packed the Palace to get a glimpse of their favorite players and to congratulate the team and coaching staff on their accomplishment.
Fans were admitted free into the Palace, and shortly after the Palace parking lot opened at 2:30 p.m. to allow people to prepare for the rally at 4 p.m., spaces in the lot were already scarce by 2:45 p.m., and the line of people waiting to enter the Palace at 3 p.m. stretched halfway around the stadium.