The 36th Annual Olde Time Christmas Celebration in Jim Thorpe kicked off Friday night with the arrival of Santa Claus at Josiah White Park in the heart of Historic Downtown Jim Thorpe and the tree lighting that followed his arrival.

Several hundred people gathered in the park awaiting the Jolly Old Elf.

To the delight of the youngster, Frosty the Snowman and Evan the 7-foot Elf, circulated around the crowd while they awaited Santa’s arrival.

Santa arrived at 6 o’clock by firetruck courtesy of the Diligent Fire Company to the shouts and cheers of all present.

Shortly after his arrival at the park, as the crowd of holiday revelers counted backward to zero, Santa officially kicked off the holiday’s festivities with the lighting of the large Christmas tree standing near the train station.

After the tree lighting, Santa greeted the excited gathering of people both young and old as he strolled among them in the park.

Special hosts for the evening were Katya Fitzpatrick from BRC TV 13 and ’80s Guru Ann Marie Calabrese from WMGH Magic 105.5 FM.

There were special performances by Angela Nardini, Faculty Brass, Jim Thorpe Olympian Cheerleaders, Jim Thorpe Marching Band and the Jim Thorpe Area Concert Choir.

Also present were Carbon County Fair Queen Rachel Knoblauch, first runner-up Erin McGinley, and Junior Miss Alyssa Myers.

The downtown section of Jim Thorpe is decked out Victorian style for the Olde Time Christmas Celebration, bejeweled by thousands of glistening lights.

Holiday revelers have the opportunity to visit all of the brightly decorated shops, eateries and pubs, which will bustle with activity as the festivalgoers proceed to stroll the streets of town.

The holiday event was organized by the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency.

Jen Christman, president of the tourism agency and chairwoman for the Olde Time Christmas Celebration, said, “We’re always looking forward to everything that goes on for Olde Time Christmas. We organize it over several months, and some of the activities benefit local charities.”

Adding to that, Diane Prokop, a member of the tourism board and co-chairwoman of Olde Time Christmas, said, “We’re excited about this year’s 36th annual event, and Jim Thorpe has just recently been named as the Most Adorable Small Town in Pennsylvania by msn.com, so what better place to come and celebrate Olde Time Christmas.”

The organizers also thanked Beisel’s Christmas tree farm of Lehighton for donating the official Christmas tree in Josiah White Park.

The Olde Time Christmas Celebration will continue on the next two weekends of Dec. 9-10 and 16-17 as well as with a wide variety of holiday events and activities going on throughout the borough of Jim Thorpe.

In addition to the unique shopping experience in more than 40 shops, galleries and boutiques, family members can also enjoy strolling carolers, characters and musicians as well as Santa train rides on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.