I don't think you realise how very American this concept is.
Dude...think about this.
Your city team winning the big one. Of course the entire city wants to come together for this magical event. It's no different from when the Phillies won the world series and the city was celebration. Everybody hugged up and taking pictures, confetti, and the works. I rather have a city close down to support the efforts of a sports team, than people in the city not coming together at all.
Sure it's a weird "American" thing, but it's probably the one of the only American things I truly support beside the stereotypes :/.