Chicago Cubs host the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals and White Sox Crosstown Cup Series July 3-12

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs will return to Wrigley Field to host the Miami Marlins July 3-5, the St. Louis Cardinals July 6-8 and the Chicago White Sox during the Crosstown Cup series July 10-12. The team will open its homestand by celebrating the recently enhanced Budweiser Bleachers and opening of Platform 14, a new outdoor concession area located behind the historic center field scoreboard.

Fans will be able to enjoy a post-game fireworks display exactly 100 years to the date after the Chicago Whales held an evening of entertainment at then-Weeghman Park, including music, dancing and a fireworks show. Fans may remain in their seats during a short intermission after the game and fireworks will be launched from various points inside the ballpark. This year's celebration, weather permitting, will mark the first ever post-game fireworks show hosted by the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

The four-game Cubs vs. Cardinals series features a split doubleheader at Wrigley Field Tuesday, July 7, which includes the April 7 makeup game at 12:20 p.m. CDT followed by the regularly scheduled game at 7:05 p.m. CDT.

The Crosstown Cup will return to Wrigley Field when the Cubs take on the Chicago White Sox for a three-game series. Fans on the North and South Side will be able to cheer on their respective teams by using the #CrosstownCup hashtag and engaging in social media promotions unveiled by each team.

Fans can purchase tickets for the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals series at www.cubs.com or 800-THE-CUBS (800-843-2827. A limited amount of tickets are available for the Chicago White Sox series.

Promotions:

Budweiser Bleacher Fridays continue this homestand with "Red, White and Brew," July 3, when fans 21-and-older in the Budweiser Bleachers will receive a patriotic Cubs tank top (available in two sizes) presented by Budweiser. "Red, White and Brew" includes patriotic music, décor and entertainment, including bag toss games available in the new Right Field Porch before first pitch. Guests 21-and-older also will receive a commemorative Budweiser Bleachers stein. Former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster will lead an honorary toast from the bleachers to kick off a special 7^th inning stretch. Television broadcasters Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies will call the game from the new Left Field Porch in the bleachers that afternoon.

Budweiser Bleacher Fridays will continue July 10 with the Extra Innings Show by Fitz & The Tantrums. Fans 21-and-older in the Budweiser Bleachers will receive an Extra Innings glow-in-the-dark Koozie and enjoy a live Fitz & The Tantrums performance from the Right Field Porch. The show is open to all game attendees.The show is open to all game attendees and Budweiser Bleacher guests The show is open to all game attendees and Budweiser Bleacher guests The show is open to all game attendees and Budweiser Bleacher guests

Fans in the Budweiser Bleachers will have the opportunity to enter the #BudFridays social media contest during both July Budweiser Bleacher Fridays. Fans 21-and-older in the Budweiser Bleachers are encouraged to wear their favorite patriotic attire July 3 and show off their best game and concert selfies July 10 by sharing photos on Twitter and Instagram using the #BudFridays hashtag. One creative winner from each date will be selected from all eligible entries to receive four tickets to the next Budweiser Bleacher Friday event. Official rules, prize value and details are available at the team's #BudFridays contest page.

The Fourth of July fireworks show presented by Weber Sauces and Seasonings will headline a holiday celebration that also includes a "Military Heroes Day" presented by Magellan Corporation. The Military Heroes Day will feature an extended pregame ceremony featuring an oversized American flag displayed on the field by 100 members of the USO of Illinois, a military "Take the Field" experience, decorative bunting in the ballpark and patriotic uniforms for both teams on the field. Five active members of the U.S. armed forces will lead the 7^th inning stretch. Up to the first 10,000 fans will receive a Cubs Camo Cap presented by Magellan Corporation.

On Sunday, July 5, Kids Sundays will continue with an Anthony Rizzo Life-Size Fabric Growth Chart presented by ATI Physical Therapy for up to the first 5,000 children age 13-and-under. The first 1,000 kids 13-and-under can run the bases post-game, weather permitting.

Up to 10,000 early arriving fans Wednesday, July 8, will receive a Cubs Cooler presented by Comcast SportsNet.

On Saturday, July 11, up to the first 10,000 fans attending the Crosstown Cup series game against the Chicago White Sox will receive a "Let's Go" Mobile Power Bank presented by Starwood Preferred Guest. The following day, July 12, up to 5,000 early arriving children age 13-and-under will receive a Color Your Own Cubs Insulated Lunch Bag presented by Vienna Beef. The first 1,000 kids 13-and-under can run the bases post-game, weather permitting.

Let's Give Charitable Campaign:

As part of this year's "Let's Give" campaign, fans will have the opportunity to learn more about Cubs Charities programming and give back to the community during the homestand. Following the Friday, July 3 and Friday, July 10 games, Cubs manager Joe Maddon will continue his "Respect Community" charity T-shirt initiative by representing Urban Initiatives (July 3) and Cubs Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (July 10) during his post-game press conferences. Urban Initiatives partners with Cubs Charities to help power the Cubs on the Move Fitness Program, encouraging youth in Chicago to "Play Every Day." Cubs RBI, a Cubs Care grant program, is a youth outreach program designed to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball for underserved youth with the Union League Boys and Girls Clubs. encourage academic participation and achievement, increase the number of talented athletes prepared to play in college and minor leagues, promote greater inclusion of minorities into the mainstream of the game and teach the value of teamwork.

The "Let's Give" campaign rolls on as the Cubs on the Move Fitness Trolley hits the road this summer starting July 6, making stops at Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Elementary School, Henry D. Lloyd Elementary School, National Teachers Elementary Academy and Jacob Beidler Elementary School. The trolley will stop at each school four times during the month of July. Cubs Charities partners with Urban Initiatives to provide sports-based programming at no cost to students in the program. Students will participate in team building games, take the "Run the Bases Challenge" and learn about healthy lifestyles.

On July 7, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation will donate a portion of the proceeds from the 2015 Cook-Off for Cancer event to help fight pediatric cancer and support those battling the disease. The foundation will present a check for $150,000 to three local organizations during Tuesday night's pregame ceremony.

Theo Epstein's Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL) will kick off the fourth annual Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago event, July 9, with the Urban Baseball Classic game at Jackie Robinson West Field. Teen athletes from Chicago's Jackie Robinson West and the Boston Astros will take the field for a baseball game. Later in the evening, Pearl Jam frontman and rock icon Eddie Vedder will take the stage at the Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago benefit concert at Wrigleyville's Metro. Vedder will join Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons and Chicago Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper as part of the all-star music lineup at the annual event celebrating music, baseball and giving back.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Foundation To Be Named Later and Cubs Charities. Both nonprofit organizations share the same mission to help underserved youth in Chicago.

Starting Saturday, July 11, Cubs wives will be selling baskets filled with favorite items from Cubs players. The baskets will be sold in the main concourse near Gate F, from 1:05 p.m. through the seventh inning, as well as online. The online basket auction will launch July 11 and end Sunday, July 19, at 8 p.m. CDT. To place an online bid, please visit www.cubs.com/authentics. Proceeds will benefit Cubs Charities.

Guests and Entertainment:

On Friday, July 3, a celebratory 7^th inning stretch and toast to the Budweiser Bleachers will be led by former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster.

Five active members of the U.S. armed forces will lead the 7^th inning stretch Saturday, July 4.

Hall of Fame Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins will throw out the first pitch and sing the 7^th inning stretch, Sunday, July 5.

On Monday, July 6, Alien Ant Farm's lead singer Dryden Mitchell will throw the first pitch and the band will lead the stretch.

Zac Brown Band's Clay Cook will throw a first pitch, sing the National Anthem and lead the 7^th inning stretch Tuesday, July 7, during the first game of a doubleheader. Actor Thomas Ian Nicholas will throw a first pitch and sing the 7^th inning stretch for the evening game.

Former PGA Masters Champion Craig Stadler will throw a first pitch Wednesday, July 8.

On Friday, July 10, Fitz & The Tantrums will throw the first pitch and lead the stretch before their post-game Extra Innings concert presented by Budweiser.

Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald will throw a first pitch and lead the stretch Saturday, July 11.

On Sunday, July 12, Hall of Fame Cubs outfielder Billy Williams will lead the stretch.

Food Specials:

The Decade Diner, located in the right field concourse, will serve a traditional Cuban Sandwich, which includes smoked pork, ham, bacon, Swiss cheese, pickle and spicy mustard aioli on toasted torta bread. A Meatball Grinder also will be available, featuring beef meatballs with housemade marinara, toasted garlic hoagie roll, melted provolone cheese and grated parmesan cheese.

Homestand Recap, July 3-12:

Friday, July 3 vs. Miami Marlins, 1:20 p.m.

• Opening of Platform 14 in the Budweiser Bleachers
• Budweiser Bleacher Fridays: Red, White and Brew
  • Patriotic Cubs tank top, Budweiser Bleacher guests 21-and-older

• An honorary toast to the Budweiser Bleachers, led by former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster, to kick off the 7^th inning stretch

• Commemorative stein, Budweiser Bleacher guests 21-and-older

• Broadcast: CSN, ESPN2, WBBM 780-AM, Cubs.com
  • Game broadcast from the Left Field Porch in the Budweiser Bleachers

Saturday, July 4 vs. Miami Marlins, 6:15 p.m.

• Magellan Military Heroes Day: Pregame ceremony with oversized American Flag displayed by 100 members of the USO of Illinois and military "Take the Field" experience
• Promotion: Cubs Camo Cap presented by Magellan Corporation, up to the first 10,000 fans
• 7^th inning stretch: Five active members of the U.S. armed forces
• Broadcast: FOX, WBBM 780-AM, Cubs.com
• Post-game fireworks show presented by Weber Sauces and Seasonings

Sunday, July 5 vs. Miami Marlins, 1:20 p.m.

• Promotion: Anthony Rizzo Life-Sized Fabric Growth Chart presented by ATI Physical Therapy, up to the first 5,000 children age 13-and-under
• Kids Run the Bases post-game, first 1,000 kids 13-and-under
• First pitch and 7^th inning stretch: Hall of Fame Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins
• Broadcast: CSN, WBBM 780-AM, Cubs.com

Monday, July 6 vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 p.m.

• First pitch: Dryden Mitchell, lead singer of Alien Ant Farm

• 7^th inning stretch: Alien Ant Farm
• Broadcast: WGN-TV, ESPN, WBBM 780-AM, Cubs.com

Tuesday, July 7 vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 12:20 p.m. (April 7 makeup game)

• First pitch, National Anthem and 7^th inning stretch: Zac Brown Band member Clay Cook

• Broadcast: WGN-TV, MLB Network, WBBM 780-AM, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com

Tuesday, July 7 vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 p.m.

• First pitch and 7^th inning stretch: Actor Thomas Ian Nicholas

• Broadcast: CSN, WBBM 780-AM, Cubs.com

Wednesday, July 8 vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 p.m.

• Promotion: Cubs Cooler presented by Comcast SportsNet, up to the first 10,000 fans
• First pitch: Former PGA Masters Champion Craig Stadler
• Broadcast: CSN, ESPN, WBBM 780-AM, Cubs.com

Friday, July 10 vs. Chicago White Sox, 3:05 p.m.

• Budweiser Bleacher Fridays: Extra Innings Show - Fitz & The Tantrums
  • Extra Innings glow-in-the-dark Koozie, Budweiser Bleacher guests 21-and-older
• First pitch and 7^th inning stretch: Fitz & The Tantrums

• Broadcast: CSN, WBBM 780-AM, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com

Saturday, July 11 vs. Chicago White Sox, 3:05 p.m.

• Promotion: Mobile Power Bank presented by Starwood Preferred Guest, up to the first 10,000 fans
• First pitch and 7^th inning stretch: Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald
• Broadcast: WLS-TV, WBBM 780-AM, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com

Sunday, July 12 vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:20 p.m.

• Promotion: Color Your Own Cubs Insulated Lunch Bag presented by Vienna Beef, up to the first 5,000 children age 13-and-under
• 7^th inning stretch: Hall of Fame Cubs outfielder Billy Williams
• Broadcast: WLS-TV, WBBM 780-AM, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com
• Kids Run the Bases post-game, first 1,000 kids 13-and-under