Energetic Ottawa Senators fans shook flags, pompoms and their red-clad bodies to unofficial hockey anthems at a downtown Ottawa plaza Thursday over their lunch break.

Thousands of fans turned out Thursday to a midday Senators rally.
(CBC)

An estimated 7,000 people started pouring into the Festival Plaza outside Ottawa City Hall before noon for the festivities, held by the city to cheer on the hometown team as it prepares for the first game of the Stanley Cup final against the Anaheim Ducks this Monday.

Among the fans was Mayor Larry O'Brien, who stood before the cheering crowd dressed in a Senators jersey over his white business shirt.

"The Stanley Cup was born here in 1892, and it's time for a family reunion. Let's bring Stanley home!" said O'Brien before a massive red Senators flag was unfurled over the wall of city hall, covering several windows on two floors.

Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien officially proclaimed May 24 "Duck-free Zone Day."
(CBC)

O'Brien blew a duck call on stage to officially proclaim May 24 as Duck-free Zone Day.

He was followed by rap artist Belly, who got the crowd squirming and singing along to his timely hit Go Sens Go.

Former Senators players Shaun Van Allen, Brad Marsh and Ron Tugnutt, also took turns at the microphone, as did Bruce Firestone, Cyril Leeder and Randy Sexton, who first brought the Senators franchise back to Ottawa 15 years ago after a half-century absence.

But Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not make his expected appearance at the rally, which was scheduled to end at 2 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Ducks-Senators NHL playoff finals were sold out when downtown festivities were barely underway. Some fans had lined up in front of Scotiabank Place for days to get first crack at the hot tickets when sales started at 10 a.m.