Chicago's 110th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting took place on Friday at Millennium Park with a 45-foot Colorado blue spruce, adorned with 50,000 lights, donated by the De La Cruz family as reported by CBS News. The event, a cherished tradition, signals the start of the holiday season in the city.
Once a fixture in the De La Cruz family's yard in suburban Darien since the early 1970s, the tree symbolizes their journey as Chicago residents, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "It's just almost a reflection back into our own story – like how my parents came here; the decisions they made; the path leading up to this moment," shared Abby De La Cruz with CBS News.
Accompanying the tree lighting tradition is the opening of the McCormick Ice Rink. Dan Metzger and his stepson, visitors from Iowa, expressed their excitement to create memories at the rink, which will remain accessible to the public until March 3rd according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
On top of the tree-lighting ceremony, Chicago's local businesses received overwhelming support. Staff from Pink Monster at Wicker Park opened a booth at the Holiday Art Market, promoting local talent and boosting business as CBS News reported.
To the blocks away from Millennium Park at Daley Plaza, the traditional German Weihnachtsmarkt, Christkindlmarket, is brought alive as observed by CBS News. The market representative, Lennart Wendler, expressed, “I love talking to the people, because, you know, Americans are different than German people, and it's just cool to tell them about your traditions.”
Part of tree-lighting ceremony were performances by the cast of "Boop! The Betty Boop Musical," Megan McNeal from The Voice, and Chicago Dance Crash, further showcasing the diverse cultural presence in Chicago as per CBS News.
In its final stand till the New Year at Millennium Park, the 110th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting serves as a symbol of unity and tradition for Chicago. Even despite the constant shifts in the world, the holiday season continues to inspire hope and bring joy to its communities.
