David Markland []

Yvette Deveraux conducts the South Pasadena Music Center's Youth String Orchestra at Chinatown's First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Trimmed with red parasols, giant golden chopsticks made of bamboo, and to-go boxes, Chinatown's first official Christmas tree was lit up last night at the neighborhood's Central Plaza.

The event was kicked off with the performance of holiday carols by the South Pasadena Music Center's Youth String Orchestra. Carrie Gan, Los Angeles Chinatown Princess 2010, and LAPD Captain Todd Chamberlain, commanding officer of Central Division, also gave comments before the tree was lit.

"This is something the businesses wanted to do," said George Yu, executive director of the Chinatown Business District, of what was billed as Chinatown's First Official Tree Lighting.

"We've had various very small trees, but never a real tree decorated by a holiday designer with items from Chinatown," Yu said.

Renowned floral designer Brad Schmidt, who Yu descibed as a personal friend, gave the noble fir tree its look. The to-go boxes hung on the tree were decorated with crayons by children at Chinatown's Youth Center.

Yu added that the tree lighting was "a good opportunity to kick off our ," that allows the passholder to receive 2 for 1 deals and other discounts from neighborhood restaurants, retailers, and services.