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Jeff Giles, chef at Gaper's Caterers, puts finishing touches on a cake designed for the city's 149th birthday, March 3, 1986. After spending the night in cold storage, the lemon-flavored delicacy will be transported to City Hall on March 4, 1986, for a party hosted by Mayor Harold Washington. The cake shows the city's skyline.
Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune
Jeff Giles, chef at Gaper’s Caterers, puts finishing touches on a cake designed for the city’s 149th birthday, March 3, 1986. After spending the night in cold storage, the lemon-flavored delicacy will be transported to City Hall on March 4, 1986, for a party hosted by Mayor Harold Washington. The cake shows the city’s skyline.

Chicago’s birthday celebrations

By | mmather@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Nancy Gerth, 3, a fourth generation Chicagoan, lights candles on the city’s birthday cake with an assist from John Lundgren, left, of the Garfield Park Conservatory, and William Q. Pirie, also a fourth generation Chicagoan, on March 4, 1966, at Carson Pirie Scott and Co. Atop the cake is a “Chicago Azalea,” a plant named in honor of the 129th birthday.
Jeff Giles, chef at Gaper's Caterers, puts finishing touches on a cake designed for the city's 149th birthday, March 3, 1986. After spending the night in cold storage, the lemon-flavored delicacy will be transported to City Hall on March 4, 1986, for a party hosted by Mayor Harold Washington. The cake shows the city's skyline.
Jeff Giles, chef at Gaper’s Caterers, puts finishing touches on a cake designed for the city’s 149th birthday, March 3, 1986. After spending the night in cold storage, the lemon-flavored delicacy will be transported to City Hall on March 4, 1986, for a party hosted by Mayor Harold Washington. The cake shows the city’s skyline.
Field artillery gunners from the 33rd division fire a 120 gun salute in Grant Park on March 4, 1957, as Chicago marks its 120th anniversary as a city.
Field artillery gunners from the 33rd division fire a 120 gun salute in Grant Park on March 4, 1957, as Chicago marks its 120th anniversary as a city.
An overhead view shows marching units and rain splattered spectators, many with umbrellas, during a torchlight parade marking Chicago's 125th anniversary as city on Aug. 24, 1962. The view is northward from a building at the southwest corner of State and Randolph streets.
An overhead view shows marching units and rain splattered spectators, many with umbrellas, during a torchlight parade marking Chicago’s 125th anniversary as city on Aug. 24, 1962. The view is northward from a building at the southwest corner of State and Randolph streets.
The cake is about to be served in Mayor Bilandic's City Hall office as Chicago celebrated its 140th year on March 4, 1977. Erwin Biesenberger, executive chef of the Holiday Inn restaurants in the Apparel Center, is assisted by Mrs. Helene McNamara. Special presentations were made throughout the day.
The cake is about to be served in Mayor Bilandic’s City Hall office as Chicago celebrated its 140th year on March 4, 1977. Erwin Biesenberger, executive chef of the Holiday Inn restaurants in the Apparel Center, is assisted by Mrs. Helene McNamara. Special presentations were made throughout the day.
Youngsters huddle under a sheet of plastic as protection against rain while watching the city's birthday parade in the Loop on Aug. 24, 1962. Torchlights were ignited at each corner along the route and Mayor Daley and other officials rode in open auto's despite inclement weather.
Youngsters huddle under a sheet of plastic as protection against rain while watching the city’s birthday parade in the Loop on Aug. 24, 1962. Torchlights were ignited at each corner along the route and Mayor Daley and other officials rode in open auto’s despite inclement weather.
Mayor Richard Daley cuts into a cake at the Cultural Center celebrating Chicago's 159th birthday in 1996, 13 years after everyone celebrated Chicago's 150th.
Mayor Richard Daley cuts into a cake at the Cultural Center celebrating Chicago’s 159th birthday in 1996, 13 years after everyone celebrated Chicago’s 150th.
Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man appear eager to gobble up a cake at the Daley Civic Center Plaza in 1983 during the celebration of Chicago's 150th birthday.
Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man appear eager to gobble up a cake at the Daley Civic Center Plaza in 1983 during the celebration of Chicago’s 150th birthday.
Pastry chef Albert Wolf, of Albert's Cafe, and associate chef Cliff Arnett work on the 685-pound official cake on March 6, 1987, for the city's 150th birthday party at Navy Pier, held the following day. The cake represents the Water Tower.
Pastry chef Albert Wolf, of Albert’s Cafe, and associate chef Cliff Arnett work on the 685-pound official cake on March 6, 1987, for the city’s 150th birthday party at Navy Pier, held the following day. The cake represents the Water Tower.
Nidhi Rawat, 9, relishes her part in Chicago's 153rd birthday celebration on March 4, 1990, at the Palmer House Hotel. Nidhi and 152 other pupils from Chicago public schools used pastry bags to decorate 5-by-8-inch birthday cakes for the occasion.
Nidhi Rawat, 9, relishes her part in Chicago’s 153rd birthday celebration on March 4, 1990, at the Palmer House Hotel. Nidhi and 152 other pupils from Chicago public schools used pastry bags to decorate 5-by-8-inch birthday cakes for the occasion.
Spectators swing and sway to the music at the Celebrate on State Street Festival on June 24, 1987, part of the city's 150th birthday celebration.
Spectators swing and sway to the music at the Celebrate on State Street Festival on June 24, 1987, part of the city’s 150th birthday celebration.
Vauchla De Castro, the lead singer from the group Rio, sings with a giant Pac Man during Chicago's 150th birthday party held at Daley Plaza on Sept. 12, 1983.
Vauchla De Castro, the lead singer from the group Rio, sings with a giant Pac Man during Chicago’s 150th birthday party held at Daley Plaza on Sept. 12, 1983.

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