The 30th annual Jim Thorpe WinterFest kicks off tonight with a luminary walk throughout the historic downtown.

Event organizers said the three-day festival has provided an economic boom to the area at an otherwise traditionally slow time.

“We call it the financial shot in the arm for the dead of winter for the business community here in Jim Thorpe,” Michelle Gallagher of the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency said at a borough council workshop in January.

The luminary walk will begin at 6 p.m. today when Broadway and Race Street “will be aglow with candles making it a romantic evening or fun outside activity for the family.”

“It’s a great post-Valentine’s Day date night opportunity and a great way to kick off the festival,” Gallagher said.

Live music will also highlight the event’s opening night with a sold out Creedence Revived show scheduled for the Mauch Chunk Opera House, a free Not John performance at the Broadway Grille & Pub at 7 p.m., and Alex & Naomi performing a free show at Wild Elder at 7 p.m.

Participating restaurants will be offering drink specials to match the festival’s “Fire and Ice” theme.

“We have around 11 businesses that bought ice sculptures and we’ll have multiple opportunities for selfies around town throughout the weekend,” Gallagher said.

Saturday and Sunday’s featured event is the “Mug Walk,” which encourages shoppers to walk trails designated on Broadway and Race street to redeem promotional items.

Visitors who already purchased a mug can pick them up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday or Sunday from the Jim Thorpe Olive Oil Co. at the Visitor Center located in the train station. After finishing the trail, passport entries can be dropped off at the

Winter Wonderland, 41. W Broadway, in the Mauch Chunk Museum until 5 p.m.

The Snowball, a new addition to WinterFest, is a morning yoga and dance celebration hosted by Fairy Moon Yoga and sponsored by Lehigh Valley Hospital -Carbon on Saturday from 9 a.mm.-noon.

“Yoga and dance are two powerful practices that release endorphins and encourage connection to self and others. The Snowball is a dedication to the origin of the town’s winter festival and to the owner of the Mauch Chunk Ballroom where the event is being held, Mr. John Drury, who is an avid dancer,” Gallagher said.

The Snowball kicks off two days of Winter Wonderland activities at the Ballroom, located at 41 W. Broadway, which will include vendors, baked goods and sulfide stations from noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s entertainment includes Brian Killer at the Broadway Grille & Pub at 3 p.m., a sold out ELO Tribute Band show at the Mauch Chunk Opera House at 7 p.m., and Keystone Groove at The Broadway Underground.

The event wraps up on Sunday with the free showing of short films from local artists from 3-5 p.m. at the Mauch Chunk Ballroom.

Public parking is available at the Carbon County Parking Lot next to the train station, 1 Susquehanna St. Meter parking is available along Broadway between the train station and the Mauch Chunk Opera House.

Additional parking will be available on Saturday and Sunday at Immaculate Conception Parish, 163 W. Broadway, beginning at 10:30 a.m. for $20.