PHILADELPHIA — Tens of thousands of horn-honking, high-fiving Phillies fans streamed into the streets of this title-starved city Wednesday night after Philadelphia won the World Series, celebrating the championship by climbing light poles, knocking down traffic signals, spraying beer and shooting off fireworks.

Fans raced through downtown in cars and on bicycles, skateboards and on foot on their way to Broad Street, the city's main thoroughfare, yelling and waving from open sunroofs, windows and jam-packed pickup truck beds.

Scattered vandalism was reported as revelry continued into the early morning today before police began breaking up the thinning crowds.

Windows were smashed at a bank and luggage store in the downtown shopping district. At least two cars were overturned, the windows of a TV van were smashed, dozens of huge streetside planters were flipped over and some bus shelters were damaged or destroyed.

Police made some arrests, but did not have any figures early today.

Most of the celebration was trouble-free, though it left behind a trail of broken bottles, overturned garbage bins and piles of other trash on the streets.

"This is the biggest party I've ever seen in my life!" said David Wahl, of Burlington, N.J., dashing down Broad Street and screaming into his cell phone as he described the scene to his father back home in New Jersey.

"I'm 23 years old and never had a chance to see a championship!" he said, yelling to be heard over the din.

The victory over Tampa Bay ended a 25-year championship drought by the city's four major sports teams that has dogged Philadelphians since the 76ers won the NBA finals in 1983.

The city will get its long-awaited championship parade Friday, the mayor announced.

"We did it!" Mayor Michael Nutter said.

Police had Broad Street cordoned off for more than a mile in South Philadelphia, turning the area into a giant street festival. Fans waved flags, towels and shirts, crowd-surfed and climbed on each other's shoulders.

Vince Iezzi, 72, sporting a Phillies jacket, soaked up the excitement as younger revelers jumped up and down, screaming and cheering.

"I think we are all hurting and it's good to have a good feeling again," he said. "Philly needed this."

Theresa Thompson, 47, of South Philadelphia, missed the only other Phillies World Series celebration in 1980 because she was pregnant. She wasn't about to miss this one.

Wearing a Phillies sweat shirt and cap, and with a "P" painted on her cheek, she got swept up with the rest of the crowd walking down Broad Street.

"I got all geared up, got my signs and came out. This brings tears to my eyes," she said.

City resident Mike Orlando, 46, drank from a bottle of champagne as he joined the celebration.

"There has been an awful lot of heartache with all the teams here," Orlando said. "The city needed this, big-time."

In the left field stands, Peter Witherell of Wilmington, Del., said the Phillies' second championship was a long time coming.

"It's been 28 years — it seems like 100," said Witherell.

Helen DiRienzi, 72, of Drexel Hill, sang along to "We are the Champions" as the Phillies circled the field.

A 25-year season ticket holder, DiRienzi wished her husband had lived to see the team win another World Series. Wednesday would have been her husband's 73rd birthday.

"I know he's here with me in spirit," she said.