Former Mayor of Berkeley Shirley Dean wearing "the hat". Photos: Nancy Rubin

Many people turned out on Sunday for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Fountain at the Circle in north Berkeley. But, despite the beloved landmark being the center of attention, it was a hat which threatened to steal the show.

Shirley Dean, the former Mayor of Berkeley, was wearing the broad-brimmed velvet hat which is decorated with clusters of appliquéd flowers and leaves. Dean also wore the hat to the 1996 ceremony held to mark the fountain’s restoration. And — most remarkably — her husband Dan Dean’s grandmother, Margaret, wore the very same hat to the inauguration of the original fountain in 1911.

Children enjoy the water at the Fountain at the Circle's 100th birthday celebration

Cutting the birthday cake at the event, which was organized by Friends of the Fountain and Walk
The fountain at nightfall on the day of its 100th birthday

See more photos of the Fountain centennial celebrations in Berkeleyside’s Flickr pool.

Related:
One of Berkeley’s most beloved landmarks turns 100 [10.11.11]

Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside, the nonprofit parent to Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Before launching Berkeleyside, Tracey wrote for...