Celebrate Wrigley Field’s 100th anniversary

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This Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs take on the Arizona Diamondbacks and the much beloved Wrigley Field hits a milestone 100th birthday, bringing with it a party one century in the making. Starting on April 23, Wrigley will host ten home games, each themed after a different decade in the ballpark’s history. Starting with a 1914-themed game against the Diamondbacks, the ten throwback celebrations will include food homages to each decade (including special signature cocktails for baseball fans over 21), iconic special guests, live music, video tributes, period costumes and historic memorabilia. Mark your calendars, baseball fans.

The Big Day

It begins on April 23 when modern day Wrigley goes back in time 100 years. Both the Cubs and the Diamondbacks will take the field wearing throwback jerseys, but fans can get in on the action too. The first 30,000 fans to enter Wrigley Field will receive replica 1914 Chicago Federals jerseys in homage to Cubs’ humble beginnings in the Federal baseball league in the early 1900’s. Get there early and you’ll get an edible treat too. The first 10,000 visitors also receive a birthday cupcake. Performances by members of Northwestern University’s marching band and special guest appearances are the real icing on the cake. Later that night, the Bricks & Ivy fundraising ball kicks off at the Field Museum. Last year’s event raised more than $1.2 million for Cubs Charities.

Bobblehead Fridays

Starting Friday, May 2, exclusive limited edition bobbleheads of classic baseball and football stars will be given to the first 10,000 fans of each game. Babe Ruth, Ernie Banks and a tribute to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League are all up for grabs. You can check out a preview of the bobbleheads right over here.

Throwback Games

Sunday afternoon home games through September 7th will be a little more lively as Wrigley morphs into a different decade each home game. Both the Cubs and the away teams will wear jerseys from each decade to commemorate classic games the Cubs have played throughout the years. Organist Gary Pressy will crank out period tunes while the “Decade Dogs” stand serves up specialty hot dogs for each game. Fans will get to see how the stadium, programs and team’s uniforms have evolved while kids can see first-hand how youngsters entertained themselves back in the day. The first 1,000 children ages 13 and under get to run the bases after the game and the first 5,000 receive classic toys from each time period, everything from yo-yos to View-Masters to Beanie Babies. Click here for tickets.

Find more information on Wrigley’s 100th anniversary at Wrigleyfield100.com.

Tagged: Midwest