PORTLAND, Maine – The New England Patriots will return to Maine to celebrate their Super Bowl victory in what has been billed as the city’s largest-ever ticker-tape parade, officials said Wednesday.

The Patriots have agreed to participate in a previously announced parade and rally scheduled for April 8 to honor thousands of Maine soldiers who have served in Iraq and past wars, according to Gov. John Baldacci.

Although the Patriots will be a part of the parade, the focus will still be on soldiers and veterans, said Liz Darling, Portland’s marketing manager. She said the largest previous parades in Portland drew an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 people.

“We’re expecting more people than we’ve ever had before,” Darling said.

Patriots’ players and members of the team organization will bring the Lombardi Trophy to the parade, according to Baldacci’s office. The Patriots won the Super Bowl in February over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. and feature marching bands, more than 1,000 people in uniform, floats, military vehicles and military flyovers, Darling said.