Jim Thorpe will host its annual fall foliage weekends beginning Saturday and Sunday, and continuing Oct. 11-12, and 18-19.

The event features train rides, dozens of craft and food vendors, free live music performances and children's activities.Changes to the event this year include a decrease in the number of permitted vendors from 45 to 20."There were some issues with overcrowding in the past and people walking in the street because of lack of space," said Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko. "This should make the event more easy to use and stop a lot of the traffic tie-ups that were happening."Visitors, in addition to the usual craft and food vendors, can also expect to see more participation from nonprofit organizations in the Jim Thorpe community."We've received quite a few vending permit applications from groups like the Boy Scouts and Lions Club," Sofranko said.Action taken by Jim Thorpe Borough Council at its September meeting will close Quarry Street during fall foliage weekend hours for music performances. Local business owners asked for bands to be allowed, Sofranko said, because it translates to dollars spent in their stores."The noise attracts people up the street and into their stores," he said. "It's an added benefit for police as it decreases the congestion downtown."The downtown gazebo, Mauch Chunk Opera House steps and Dimmick Library will also host musical performances throughout all three weekends.A full schedule can be found at

http://www.jimthorpe.org/fallfoliagemusicschedule.htm.Ticketed entertainment will take place each Saturday night at the Opera House.Aside from music, visitors can take advantage of train rides on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.Many restaurants and shops will be featuring seasonal specials, according to planners.Parking figures to be an issue, especially given a decrease in available space at the Carbon County lot due to the Jim Thorpe Memorial Bridge construction.There are 588 spots, 338 paved and 250 non-paved in the overflow lot, normally available for parking. Bridge construction has wiped out all the non-paved parking and approximately 10 paved spaces. Excluding 53 parking spots rented by businesses and others, there are 285 spots available in the county lot for tourists during the three event weekends."If I was coming to Jim Thorpe, I think I would come early in the morning to get a parking place," said County Commissioner Thomas Gerhard. "Other than that I don't know."Fees for parking in the county lot during fall foliage weekends will be $10 per car. Rates are normally $5 for weekdays and $6 on weekends. The lot is expected to be full by 10 a.m. each weekend morning.Festival planners urge visitors to use alternate parking at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, with frequent shuttle service to the festival.The county has offered event organizers the Mauch Chunk Lake parking at no charge. Visitors, however, will pay a $10 parking fee at the lot."They can direct people out there and then bus them in," said County Commissioner William O'Gurek. "We realize there is a lot less parking spaces out there this year than last year."Shuttles will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.The shuttle drop-off and pick-up is at the Mauch Chunk Opera House.Sofranko also said Jim Thorpe police officers will rotate shifts so that one person doesn't have to work all three weekends.