Chicago's 177th Birthday Celebration on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 - Daley Plaza - a Mardi Gras-themed birthday party

The City of Chicago is throwing a Mardi Gras-themed birthday party and food truck rally to celebrate Chicago’s 177th birthday on Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington Street) on Tuesday, March 4. Starting with a short program at 10:30am. to kick-off the event, FREE cake will be available (while supplies last) along with packzis, music and much more from 11am–7pm.

Throughout the day, Chicago food trucks will provide both lunchtime and after work dining options as well as a designated area for beer from Goose Island and wine to be purchased and enjoyed, plus musical entertainment from DJ Lisa René from 11am–7pm.

Also included in the celebration will be a “Fat Tuesday” tradition, packzis from Delightful Pastries.

Prior to the celebration kick-off, a brief program will be held in the lobby of the Daley Center featuring a native drum interpretation of “Happy Birthday” by the American Indian Center of Chicago as an entertaining reminder of Chicago’s heritage. Additionally, children reading entries submitted to an annual essay contest sponsored in partnership with the Friends of DuSable will honor Chicago’s first permanent resident, Jean Baptist Pointe DuSable.

The program will conclude with a Mardi Gras-style parade onto Daley Plaza led by The Big Shoulders Brass Band & Mystic Krewe of Laff to kick of the Food Truck rally and day-long celebration!

And what’s a birthday without cake? Eli’s Cheesecake is a Chicago institution and has become a worldwide ambassador of the city’s culinary scene. It’s a popular treat, and supplies are limited – so don’t miss out! Finally, Chicagoans born on March 4 can celebrate their shared birthday with the City of Chicago, and receive a special commemorative certificate while supplies last.

Participating food trucks include:

• Bridgeport Pasty
• Flirty Cupcakes
• Gino’s Steaks Truck
• Haute and Ready Chicago
• Husky Hog BBQ
• Jerk
• Ms. Tittles Cupcakes
• Porkchop
• The Cheesie’s Truck
• Windy City Patty Wagon

 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington). A short official program kicks things off at 10:30 a.m. inside the lobby of the Daley Center. Chicagoans celebrating a birthday on March 4 can receive a special commemorative certificate (while they last)

For more information visit cityofchicago.org/dcase.

The whole family also can learn more about the city at the Chicago History Museum’s “four-star day of fun” at the museum, 160 N. Clark. Visit chicagohistory.org.

Public Transportation:
For travel information, visit www.transitchicago.com