The Christmas season officially arrived in Jim Thorpe Friday night with an incredible kickoff.

Jim Thorpe High School cheerleaders did routines to classic Christmas tunes, the high school band and a four-piece musical quarter added music, hot chocolate and other goodies were served, and Santa arrived and presided over the lighting of the Christmas tree.

All of the events occurred in the Josiah White Park in downtown Jim Thorpe with hundreds of people jammed into the commons.

Of course the highlight was the arrival of Santa Claus. He arrived on a Jim Thorpe Fire Department truck with the siren wailing. Accompanying him were Miss Carbon County Maria Burits and Miss Carbon County runner-up Erin McGinley.

Katya Fitzpatrick of Blue Ridge Communications TV 13 served as master of ceremonies.

Also with Santa was Mrs. Claus and an elf walking on stilts. Grandma was safe; there were no reindeer.

Angela Marie Nardini, Ann Marie Calabrese from WMGH radio, and Carbon County Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard also participated.

And Mayor Michael Sofranko of Jim Thorpe welcomed people to the event.

Besides the high school band, musical selections were performed by The Faculty Brass, a quartet of musicians comprised of Brian Eckert, Beth Hudlow, Dave Matsinko and Joe Plechavy.

Beginning today and continuing each Saturday and Sunday, Olde Time Christmas events will be held throughout the downtown area.

The Bach and Handel Chorale will perform a Christmas concert at St. Mark’s Church at 3 p.m. today.

Train rides with Santa began Friday and will continue each Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas.

New this year on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the celebration, the Mauch Chunk Ballroom above the Mauch Chunk Museum, at 41 W. Broadway, will play host to the Olde Time Christmas Kids Club with family entertainment, crafts, face painting and other events.

The 11th annual display of more than 500 crèches from around the world will be held today and tomorrow at the Lutheran Church of St. John at 319 South Avenue.

Alex Gommersen, of Duryea, Luzerne County, said he was impressed with the celebration on Friday.

“My word, what a wonderful event,” he said. “This is my first time here for this and it’s very well organized and an amazing start to the Christmas season.”

Miss Carbon County said, “I think it’s wonderful. Everyone is really excited for Christmas. There are so many great people here to make this event possible.”