Discover the Spirits of Christmas Past and Olde Time Christmas in Jim Thorpe

Experience the Spirits of Christmas Past this holiday season and enjoy the 33rd Annual Olde Time Christmas Festival in Jim Thorpe, PA, celebrated the first two weekends in December – December 5, 6 & 7, 13 & 14.

The Victorian village nestled in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains and decorated ala Dickens-style will captivate the imagination. With Santa, strolling carolers, characters and musicians, there’s lots of fun for the whole family.

Santa’s arrival via fire truck along with the tree lighting ceremony at Josiah White Park kicks off the festival on Friday, December 5 at 6 p.m.

Throughout Olde Time Christmas, goers will enjoy train rides and pictures with Santa, a Gingerbread House display at the Dimmick Memorial Library, 54 Broadway, entertainment at the gazebo, ticketed holiday concerts and shows at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14 W. Broadway, evening Rotary GhostWalks, a scavenger hunt and shopping at 35 unique shops and galleries where they may find not only clues but also the perfect gift.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 21 Race Street, will hold an open house with cookies and caroling on Friday, Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and St. Mark’s Mart on Friday, Dec. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, shuttles will run from Josiah White Park to St. John Lutheran Church, 319 South Ave., for the 7th Annual Crèche Display featuring more than 500 Nativity sets from around the world. Also on Dec. 6, the Ebenezer Evangelical Congregational Church drama club will stage a performance at the Josiah White Park gazebo between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The Gilded Cupid Fantasy Tree will be open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 6 and 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 40 W. Broadway.

Meet under the mistletoe all over the town named by Philadelphia Magazine as its 2012 Best of Philly: Best Romantic Getaway. The shops, galleries, restaurants, pubs and other local businesses will have sprigs of the “kissing plant” strategically hung for holiday romance.

Sponsored by the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency, Olde Time Christmas not only echoes the Victorian Dickens theme but also the Olde Time Christmas traditions of community, generosity and thankfulness.

There are many opportunities to give back this year, including the annual Toy Drive sponsored by the Treasure Shop, 44 Broadway, and Mitten Tree collections sponsored by the Jim Thorpe Lioness Club, as well as others with a fun twist including Strange Brew’s Dec. 12 Ugly Sweater Party that has goers wear their most outrageous holiday sweaters and bring pretty sweaters to donate to charity (79 Broadway). Likewise, Stone Row Pub and Eatery, 45-47 Race St., is celebrating the season with a Steampunk High Tea offering that benefits St. Mark Episcopal Church’s bell restoration fund.

This year the residents of Jim Thorpe and surrounding area are especially thankful for the round-the-clock work of the Pennsylvania State Police protecting families in their homes and on the road, making trips to Grandma’s house safe this year. To show their appreciation, the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency has tapped Jim Thorpe native Trooper Mike Dugan to light this year’s Christmas tree, during the December 5th ceremony at Josiah White Park. Dugan was one of the thousands of law enforcement officers that searched the Pocono Mountains for the fugitive now 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. A true role model for area youngsters, Dugan has also organized teams of Jim Thorpe cyclists for the Tour De Shore Bike Race, which benefits the families of fallen officers.

Locals and tourists alike can also show their appreciation to our soldiers by dropping off a card at the Military Mailbox, located down at the train station in the PMVB Visitors Center. No postage needed.

For more information on Olde Time Christmas, call 1-888-JIM-THORPE, visit www.jimthorpe.org or follow the Olde Time Christmas  Facebook page JimThorpeOldeTimeChristmas for complete event information.