Take a magical trip on the Polar Express to visit the North Pole

For the fourth consecutive year, the miniature train at O.J. Watson Park in southeast Wichita is being transformed into the Polar Express, the magical train depicted in the award-winning book and movie of the same name that takes young children to see Santa Claus.

Park officials have decorated the campfire circle in the north end of the park to depict the North Pole, with s’mores and hot chocolate served to train riders as they wait for Santa to emerge from the workshop for a visit.

Tickets for the 30 Polar Express sessions scheduled for various weekend dates, starting Saturday through Dec. 23 have been selling fast and already a wait list is forming for certain sessions, said Brian Hill, manager at O.J. Watson Park.

Initially, the Wichita Park and Recreation Department had scheduled 16 sessions, but a post on the city of Wichita’s Facebook page a few weeks ago resulted in nearly every session being sold out within a weekend, he said. Hill and his staff added 14 more sessions and as of early this week, all but two of the 30 sessions had been sold out. A waiting list had about 35 names. More sessions could be added, however, Hill said.

“We’re looking at adding more sessions if the demand is there,” he said. “If people can be flexible, they’ll have a much better chance of finding something that might work for them.” He encouraged those interested in the event to go online to Wichita.gov/parkandrec or call the park directly at 316-529-9940, and be put on the waiting list, if all the sessions are sold out.

While the event has been geared primarily for kids accompanied by adults, several unaccompanied grown-ups – many of whom likely grew up reading “The Polar Express” book published in 1986 – sign up to enjoy the event, Hill noted. Last year, a meetup group of women in Wichita, the Adventurous Babes Society, scheduled a private party, for example.

“It’s really a Polar Express class and the train ride by itself is just part of it,” said Hill, describing the 75-minute event. It starts with the reading of the Caldecott award-winning book written by Chris Van Allsburg, followed by a craft activity.

“And then we bundle up and go to the North Pole,” via the park’s decorated miniature train, he said.

While kids are encouraged to wear pajamas, just like the children do in the book, Hill advised: “Wear the pajamas but bring a coat. Dress appropriately for the weather.”

This story was originally published November 22, 2017 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Take a magical trip on the Polar Express to visit the North Pole."