The City of Reno celebrated its 150th year as a city with the Biggest Little Birthday Celebration at Greater Nevada Field on Wednesday.

There was plenty of local history at the pre-game celebration on the front lawn - from classic fire and police equipment to old pictures from the Nevada Historical Society.

"Reno began as a crossroads of people passing through to California and because of the Comstock and trains coming through, they designated Reno as a perfect spot for a community," said Shery Hayes-Zorn of the Nevada Historical Society. "So you could go up to Virginia City, go over the Sierra, so in 1868 we became a city and we're named after Jesse Reno - who was never here - from the Union."

There's a new art sculpture, "Home," that now sits at the entrance of the stadium. Fans arrived early to get a glimpse and to get a good spot in line for when the gates opened.

"I wanted to come to the game because I've never been to it," said longtime Reno resident Ellen DeSilva. "I've always wanted to and I figured since we got free tickets, we might as well. This is a Mother's Day present and a birthday present all in one!"

Spirits were high going into the gates.

"Everyone's here and cordial; we're standing talking to people we never knew before," said Reno resident Cloyde Flatt.

The excitement grew as the stands started to fill.

Governor Sandoval and Reno Mayor Schieve welcomed a big crowd as Aces mascot Archie made a big entrance at center field via Careflight, waving the new City of Reno flag. This is the culmination of a yearlong campaign to celebrate where the city has been.

"what a beautiful event; we got the entire city to come out here to celebrate 150 years," said Reno City Councilman Oscar Delgado. "And we got to celebrate so many people over the last year that contributed to the City of Reno, from stakeholders, politicians, businesspeople, just people that wanted to give back and have given back. We get to celebrate all that and I'm so grateful for all the city has done for us."

And celebrate the future as well.

"It is looking forward; I like looking back, I'm a big historical guy but I'm also excited about what's happening in our city today," said Reno Police Chief Jason Soto.

It's a day that will also be part of the history books.

"We have the first flag, the 1959 flag that wasn't adopted," said Hayes-Zorn, "And we'll be collecting submissions for the new flag that people did online as well as hopefully getting the new flag and the jerseys put into our collection so there's a lot of history and sharing with the community; it's a good time today."