Reno marks its sesquicentennial todaywith thousands expected for the “Biggest Little City in the World’s” 150th birthday party.
Along the shores of the Truckee River in downtown, UNR’s marching band, speeches from politicians, the unveiling of a statue, a Reno Aces ballgame, and a fireworks show are set to close out a year of sesquicentennial activities.
The city spent less than $7,500 over the course of the year, economizing by adding sesquicentennial elements to already existing community events.
“Just being able to promote those existing events gets people plugged in and plugged in quickly to all of the great things going on in our city,” said Reno Councilman David Bobzien, who spearheaded the sesquicentennial effort.
Besides saluting its history and preservation efforts, the city wanted to use the opportunity to put out a welcome mat for the many new residents drawn to Reno during its current tech boom.
“As we are racing into the next chapter of our city’s history, it was really important to look back and celebrate the past,” Bobzien said.
One of the most important ways the city honored the past was with the Reno People Project. The project highlighted 150 people who helped improve the city in some way.
If the person was still alive, the city would highlight their accomplishments by bringing them to one of the dozens of events held over the past year.
David Bobzien, Reno councilman