The 33rd Annual Olde Time Christmas Festival in Jim Thorpe will be celebrated the first two weekends in December.

The festivities will take place on Dec. 5, 6, 7, 13 and 14.Santa's arrival via firetruck along with the tree lighting ceremony at Josiah White Park kicks off the festival at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5.To show the area's appreciation for the round-the-clock work of the Pennsylvania State Police protecting families in their homes and on the road, the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency has tapped Jim Thorpe native Corporal Michael Dugan to light this year's Christmas tree during the opening ceremony.Dugan was one of the thousands of law enforcement officers who searched the Pocono Mountains for the fugitive now charged with the killing of state police Cpl. Bryon Dickson in a September ambush outside the Blooming Grove barracks, which also wounded trooper Alex Douglass.A 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.Fun times for allIn addition to Santa, strolling carolers, characters and musicians will provide lots of fun for the whole family.Throughout Olde Time Christmas, there will be train rides and pictures with Santa, a Gingerbread House display at the Dimmick Memorial Library, entertainment at the gazebo, ticketed holiday concerts and shows at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, evening Rotary ghost walks, a scavenger hunt and shopping at 35 unique shops and galleries.St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 21 Race St., will hold an open house with cookies and caroling from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 5. St. Mark's Mart will be held Dec. 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.On Dec. 6 and Dec. 7, shuttles will run from Josiah White Park to St. John Lutheran Church, 319 South Ave., for the seventh 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 and 4 p.m.The Gilded Cupid Fantasy Tree will be open to the public on Dec. 6 and 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 40 W. Broadway.'Tis the seasonfor givingThere 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 people wear their most outrageous holiday sweaters and bring pretty sweaters to donate to charity.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.Everyone 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 Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau Visitors Center. No postage is needed.Olde Time Christmas is sponsored by the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency, and echoes the Victorian Dickens theme as well as the Olde Time Christmas traditions of community, generosity and thankfulness.For more information, call 888-JIM-THORPE, visit

www.jimthorpe.org or follow the Facebook page JimThorpeOldeTimeChristmas for complete event information.