Rob Ford supporters celebrate former mayor's life

Supporters of Rob Ford shared stories and memories,and danced to a little reggae music, at a celebration of the former mayor's life Wednesday night.

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The Ford family hostedthe gathering at the Toronto Congress Centre at 650 Dixon Rd. until 9 p.m.

The party followeda public funeral and a private burial for Ford, who died last week from a rare form of cancer. He was 46.

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Ford's chief of staff, Dan Jacobs, expectedresidents to mingle with longtime Ford campaign workers and city hall staffers and "share their stories about Rob."

Jacobs said he was amazed by the thousands of people who lined the processional route as Ford's casket made its way from city hall, where Ford had been lying in repose since Monday, to St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto.

"The family was overwhelmed and I am, as well, as are all the staff who worked with Coun. Ford over the years," Jacobs told CBC News.

Dozens of people began lining up outside the Congress Centre Wednesday evening, well ahead of the celebration's start time of 6:30 p.m., singing and waving flags.

Musical actsbooked for the party includeda reggae band, reflecting Ford's favourite type of music.