LA County Christmas tree flickers on at the Music Center

L.A. County turned the switch on its Christmas tree decorations Monday evening, marking the beginning of the season in its 6th annual lighting ceremony.

The enormous, adorned 50-foot tree stood in the middle of the Los Angeles County Music Center Plaza.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich was joined by a choir from Burbank's Provenance High School to mark the occasion, and Antonovich's brief speech welcoming the holiday season was followed by a series of carols from the school's blue ribbon choir.

The tree lighting tradition was sparked by former LA County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn in honor of the children of L.A. County, and was modeled after the national tree-lighting ceremony started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923.

"When Supervisor Hahn left the Board of Commissioners he asked if I'd carry on that tradition," Antonovich said to an audience of around 50, before gesturing to the children's choir. "This is what makes LA County so wonderful — these young people, participating in these arts program and helping light the light."

Antonovich called the tree-lighting "the most exciting thing on television since the Rockettes."