A small but enthusiastic gathering of about 100 people watched as Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins and Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts (who is sporting newly-grown facial hair!) threw the switch to light up the Cubs' official Christmas tree, which is located outside the Cubs Store on the northwest corner of Clark & Addison.
As you can see in the photo gallery, Clark the Cub was on hand to entertain kids and the Million Dollar Quartet (photo 5, although there appear to be five people in the quartet) performed.
The Cubs also held a holiday toy drive as part of this ceremony:
The tree lighting was in conjunction with a toy drive to benefit Children's Home and Aid Society. Nancy Ronquillo, the society's president and CEO, said the Cubs sponsored hundreds of families who would not have had any gifts to put under the tree without the team's help.
Here are some photos of the gifts, being wrapped by Cubs associates:
#Cubs associates wrapped gifts today & will donate more at tonight's tree-lighting. Join us! https://t.co/6pxtS9Tzar pic.twitter.com/CTt40xCrL4
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 3, 2015
Carrie Muskat's article, linked above, also indicates that the Cubs hope to have this ceremony next year in the plaza next to Wrigley, currently under construction.
Thanks to Cubs Coordinator of Public Relations Alyson Cohen for sending along the photos in this gallery. (The cover photo was taken by BCB's David Sameshima.)