This evening's 33rd Annual Olde Time Christmas Festival tree lighting in Jim Thorpe figures to have an even more heartwarming ring to it than usual.

That's because a hometown hero will be honored when the tree lighting ceremony at Josiah White Park kicks off the festival at 6 o'clock along with Santa's arrival via firetruck.Jim Thorpe native State Police Cpl. Mike Dugan has been tapped to light this year's Christmas Tree as a show of appreciation by the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency, sponsor of the event.Dugan was one of the thousands of law enforcement officers who assisted in the manhunt for suspected killer Eric Frein.Frein has been charged with the murder of State Police Cpl. Bryon Dickson in a September ambush outside the Blooming Grove barracks, which also wounded trooper Alex Douglass.In addition, Dugan has also organized teams of Jim Thorpe cyclists and raised more than $15,000 for the Tour De Shore Bike Race, which benefits children in need, as well as the families of fallen firefighters and police officers, including Dickson."The Tour De Shore Irish Pub has graciously donated $5,000 to the family of Cpl. Bryon Dickson," Dugan said.The Community Choir and Jim Thorpe/Kidder Township Daisy Girl Scout Troop 30331 will get the festival crowd in the spirit when they sing Christmas carols during the tree lighting ceremony, which will begin after Santa arrives at the park, courtesy of the Jim Thorpe Fire Department's Diligent Hose Company.Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko and state Rep. Doyle Heffley are expected to attend, as well as a Marine from the Schuylkill/Carbon Marine Corps League Detachment 626, who will accept toys for the annual Toys for Tots campaign.The event will be emceed by Blue Ridge Communications TV13 reporter Katya Fitzpatrick.Merchants will remain open until 7 or 8 p.m. during Olde Time Christmas weekends.A Spirits of Christmas Past Scavenger Hunt through participating stores offers shoppers the opportunity to win 23 gift certificates.St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 21 Race St., will hold an open house with tours, cookies, and caroling from 5-7 p.m. with a goodwill donation.For more holiday events, see Page 6.