Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 18th Annual WinterFest Weekend Feb. 18 and 19 on President's Day Weekend. A mix of family-activities, special shopping and dining promotions and Opera House performances mark a weekend of winter fun in Jim Thorpe on Presidents Day Weekend.

Ice and wood carvers will ply their trades in the downtown Josiah White Park next to the Jersey Central train station and also give demonstrations two blocks up the street at the Mauch Chunk Opera House Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Visit IceWork.net and Chainsaw.net for more information.The weekend will also feature a chamber of commerce fundraiser Mug Walk during which, visitors can purchase a Jim Thorpe mug and look for signs which indicate participating shops and stores that will fill those mugs with something free, including cookies, soup, coffee and other surprises. Also for the kids (under 12) there will be a pinata-busting at the downtown train station at noon on both Saturday and Sunday.Saturday afternoon from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Faculty Brass, a Lehighton-based quartet, playing tunes of all genres from marches and polkas to recent pop tunes will perform as they stroll up and down Broadway.That evening at 8 p.m., Mauch Chunk Opera House features the British blues band Savoy Brown. On both Saturday and Sunday the Chamber presents free kids' shows, courtesy of Mr. Al Grout, a sensational entertainer who has been performing since 1977, and does over 200 shows a year. Audiences from small children to senior citizens will enjoy some of the most difficult and entertaining juggling being done today.A special 5 p.m. Opera House performance on Sunday, Feb. 19 features The Allentown Band, performing in a venue much as their closely-linked predecessor did, John Philip Sousa. Founded in 1828, the Allentown Band is recognized worldwide, having twice appeared on national TV Charles Kuralt's Good Morning America, and the PBS series The American Experience, and heard regularly on Philadelphia's station, WRTI. In addition, they have been featured in four European concert tours.For more information call 570-325-5810 or visit the official Jim Thorpe website,

http://www.JimThorpe.org for further details.