Happy 414 Day! Check out some of Friday's festivities as Milwaukeeans celebrate the local holiday

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Cream City. The Brew City. The 414.

Whatever you call it, Milwaukee is home to some of the best sports teams in the country, beautiful scenery, the best cheese curds, and other hidden gems that make up the beautiful town.

On April 14, the city comes alive to celebrate arguably the best local holiday -- Milwaukee Day -- hence our beloved area code.

Early Friday morning, dozens gathered in front of City Hall for the unfurling of a giant 414 flag, thanks to the 414 Store. 

“Milwaukee carries itself unlike any other city. There’s a grind that we have here and a passion and a hustle," said store owner Fred Gillich.  “Some of the best people on the planet live right here.”

Mayor Cavalier Johnson was one of the attendees and spoke with CBS 58 about his fondness for the city.

“People are out, the sun is shining, this is a great day in the city," Mayor Johnson said. "There's so many things about Milwaukee, what's not to love?"

And it wouldn't be a story about Milwaukee without a trip to Sprecher Brewing Company -- the New York Times' #1 rated root beer in the country.

“Almost 99% [of] soda is just cold liquid powder mixed together. Ours is actually cooked and brewed and that’s what gives it the great flavor," said Sprecher President and CEO Sharad Chadha. "Beer and soda can be happiness in a bottle and that's what we do."

If you've tried it, you know that "great flavor" comes from their unique fire brewing process that uses local honey. 

Chadha told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White that his dream is to have "a Sprecher sip on every lip in America."

“Milwaukee is such a beer town, and Wisconsin itself, so having people enjoy our beer, and then sodas, it’s a really cool experience," Chadha said.

For details on how you can get involved with Milwaukee 414 Day celebrations at Sprecher and across the city, click here.