The Polar Express: A Wonderful Adventure To The North Pole

Parents, teenagers, children, groups of friends and couples all waited excitedly for the Polar Express to arrive at the Batesville town square last night. A few food vendors selling such Southern event staples as hot chocolate, fried pies, chicken-on-a-stick, and deep-fried Oreos, served the waiting crowd.

At 7:20 p.m., the first train horn could be heard as the train neared the town square. Children giggled and jumped, trying to see down the train tracks as parents encouraged them to stay in line. Five minutes later, the train pulled up to the waiting crowd, and ticket takers disembarked to greet everyone.

After tickets had been punched, the passengers made their way on board to the welcoming booths. Music played, the train cars were decorated for the holiday season, and there were mugs at every seat, waiting to soon be filled with hot chocolate.

The cheerful servers greeted everyone in the car and as soon as the train headed for the North Pole, they began dancing and singing to music from “The Polar Express” movie. As the song “Hot Chocolate” came on, the servers produced hot chocolate and cookies that they served to the smiling passengers.

Next, the audiobook of “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg played in the background as the passengers read along. The servers moved through the train car, turning pages in a large print and picture version of the book.

Within thirty minutes, but what seemed like moments, the train arrived at the North Pole. Santa’s workshop could be seen outside the window and dancing elves waved to the passengers. The train pulled to a stop, and Santa Claus himself boarded the train to greet all passengers and bestow each child with the first gift of the season, a silver sleigh bell.

After a special moment of gift giving and conversation with each child, Santa wished all passengers a Merry Christmas and moved on to spread more cheer to other children.

On the ride back to the Batesville town square, the servers, conductor and a comic stow-away entertained the passengers with magic shows and more singing and dancing.

As the train arrived in Batesville, back from the magical world of the North Pole, all passengers left the train with special Polar Express mugs, and each child carried their own silver sleigh bell that, hopefully, they will be able to hear ring for years to come.

“Though I’ve grown old the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”

To purchase tickets or learn more about The Polar Express Train Ride, visit https://www.grenadapolarexpressride.com/.

Amy Goodin is a writer for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at argoodin12@gmail.com.

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