Image: Marie Cunningham
Rodeo Drive was transformed into a lavish Chinese celebration on Friday as the posh street celebrated the Chinese New Year for the first time.
Hundreds of party-goers showed up and lined the street to view traditional Chinese performances. There was also a special VIP reception, in true Beverly Hills form, which was hosted by porcelain retailer Lladro.
According to the Chinese calendar, this is the year of the dragon, a symbol in Chinese culture that brings people good luck and a year that is considered the most important in the Chinese zodiac. The dragon year represents success, passion, boldness, divinity and ambition and kids that are born in this year are “traditionally expected to enjoy health, wealth and long life.”
Beverly Hills Vice Mayor William Brein spoke at the reception and noted, “Celebrations like this Chinese New Year event are very important to Beverly Hills because we recognize the local Chinese tour operators and government officials, and highlight our appreciation for the Chinese culture. In 2010, China sent over 400,000 visitors to the California area, many of them coming to Beverly Hills and here to Rodeo Drive.”
1,000 lucky guests at the celebrations received a commemorative Beverly Hills T-shirt and envelope that contained special offers from Golden Triangle shops and restaurants. A dance group from Los Angeles also performed a traditional dragon and lion dance.
Source: Beverly Hills Patch
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