Latrobe’s annual Holly Jolly festival is returning over three days this week, beginning with a revived holiday Light Up Night on Thursday.

North Huntingdon singer Aubrey Burchell, who reached the semifinal round of “America’s Got Talent” this year, will be among those providing live entertainment Saturday in downtown Latrobe.

After the festival was absent for several years, Latrobe is inviting area residents to visit James H. Rogers Park at Main and Jefferson streets from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday to see the lighting of the community tree and enjoy other activities as the town rings in the holiday season.

“People can come down to kick off the holiday season, and they can stay and visit downtown merchants to start their holiday shopping,” Latrobe Art Center Executive Director Michael Tusay said. He is a co-chair of the Holly Jolly committee and an organizer of the Light Up event.

The Neighborhood Trolley will be parked downtown, providing an ideal backdrop for visitors to take photos, Tusay said. The trolley will be staffed by a conductor based on the animated character in the movie “The Polar Express.”

A short section of Main Street will be closed to traffic for the Light Up, which will include hot chocolate, food trucks and, at the art center, an ornament-making activity.

Jingle Ball suited for adults

On Friday night, a new activity for adults will be featured: a Jingle Ball from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Paper Heart Social Goods & Event Studios, 807 Ligonier St.

Those attending the party must be 21 or older. They’re encouraged to dress in holiday attire while enjoying food and beverages. Holiday-themed karaoke, games and gifts also will be featured.

Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased by visiting paperheartaffairs.com.

Saturday lineup set

Larger sections of Main and Ligonier streets will be closed to motorists for the main lineup of Holly Jolly activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Entertainment will be offered at the intersection of the two streets beginning at 9:30 a.m., with DJ Dark Shark. Burchell will take the stage at 10:30 a.m., followed by choral groups from Greater Latrobe School District and Christ The Divine Teacher School, ending with a 1:30 p.m. performance by the Laurel Valley Academy of Dance.

Between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Santa will be at Rogers Park to greet children. The first 300 children will receive gift bags sponsored by the Greater Latrobe - Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Kids also can ride on a barrel train, attend story time with Mrs. Claus or try their hand at holiday crafts at Adams Memorial Library. They may also play snowball games offered by Greater Latrobe Parks & Rec, create reindeer food at the Eclectique boutique, snag DIY snowman kits at the Green Goddess shop or make an edible dreidel in an activity sponsored by WQED-TV at the art center.

Visitors to Holy Family Catholic Church are welcome to decorate crafts and dress as Nativity figures.

Art and handmade jewelry will be for sale at the art center. On the opposite side of Ligonier Street, the Quatrini Building will play host to Latrobe Farmers Market vendors and a display by the Latrobe Area Historical Society.

Children will be greeted by several costumed characters including Buddy the Elf, Daniel Tiger, Peg + Cat and, at the Latrobe campus of Westmoreland County Community College, snowman Olaf from “Frozen.”

WCCC visitors also can check out “Elsa’s Song and Dance Show” and about 20 entries in the community’s growing annual gingerbread house contest.

Gingerbread voting to begin

People can view the houses and vote for their favorites from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The winners will be announced Monday, Dec. 5.

“We did get a few more houses than last year,” Tusay said. “I hope it will continue to grow each year.”

Shoppers who visit downtown Latrobe merchants throughout the three-day Holly Jolly event can obtain a card and have it stamped at participating stores for a chance to win a gift basket of items from all of the businesses.

For more information, visit HollyJollyLatrobe.com or call the art center at 724-537-7011.

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