The lighting of a bright, elaborate holiday display at Depot Square Park on Friday officially launched Tamaqua’s 26th Annual Spirit of Christmas Festival.

Santa arrived at the Victorian fountain at 6 p.m., accompanied by Aubrey Jones, Little Miss Spirit, and contestants Elyse Farrell, Kendal Snowman and Madison Kurtz.

“It was the best Little Miss Spirit contest we’ve had,” said chairman Judy Hoppes, adding that enthusiasm for the annual contest has reached a high point.

“The girls raised a lot of money, which will be used to offset the cost of the holiday lights.”

Lighting technician Frank Fabrizio of Brockton said the spectacle at the pocket park in the center of the community is larger than ever. Fabrizio spent weeks completing the project, aided by his mother, Theresa.

“There are 35,000 lights and they’ll be illuminated every night from 5 to 11 p.m.”

Fabrizio said the lights typically stay on until Orthodox Christmas in January.

Fabrizio, along with Dan Odorizzi, also decorated the Tamaqua train station with new lights this year, a snowflake pattern.

The festival, normally three days, expanded to four days this year as it started Thursday at the Tamaqua Arts Center with the Taste of Tamaqua Mistletoe Reception.

A full schedule of events will continue through the weekend, culminating with the Community Tree Lighting at Depot Square Park on Sunday at 6 p.m.