Abigail Pettus, center, is ready for her trip to the North Pole on the Polar Express at Barkley Bridge Elementary Thursday. | Joy Haynes

First graders at Barkley Bridge Elementary got a real treat Thur., Dec. 11 when they were able to experience the legendary Polar Express.

The annual trip took extensive planning from librarian Ed Land, first grade teachers Kimberly Hargett, Mariann Parker, Rhonda Russell and Joy Thomas and first grade parents.

Students were led to the train where they were able to listen to the book The Polar Express and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies on board.

After their trip, students were given a special silver bell to match the book narrator’s prized possession.

Abigail Pettus of Mrs. Russell’s class said her favorite part of their magic journey was the book and snacks.

“I was excited and nervous about our trip, because I had never been to the North Pole before,” Pettus said. “It was kind of scary going over the tracks to get there, but my favorite part was the cookies and hot chocolate while we listened to the book. I hope we get to go back.”

Matt Goodwin of Mrs. Russell’s class said he is a big fan of the movie The Polar Express.

“Every day I don’t get in trouble at school my mom lets me watch The Polar Express,” Goodwin said. “It’s really cool that they got the Polar Express to come here. I hope my bell came from Rudolph.”

Kaden Gerstman of Mrs. Russell’s class said this was the best day of school he had ever experienced.

First grade mother Tiffany Little said the Polar Express was a Christmas tradition of her late husband’s family.

“I can’t wait for my daughter to talk to my husband’s family about her experience on the Polar Express,” Little said. “When he was growing up, he always got a silver bell under his tree and they read the book every year. I know it will be special to them that she got to experience this.”

Heather Peebles said her daughter Rory was nervous about the trip the entire night before.

“She was so nervous and kept asking questions about their trip to the Polar Express,” Peebles said. “My fourth grader Chloe had to convince her it was really fun to even get her out of the car for school. Chloe said she wished she could be going back to the North Pole on the Polar Express.”