Isabella Hammond found out her golden ticket got her the first gift of Christmas from Santa on Sunday at Butler Memorial Park for the Polar Express Walk. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

The GFWC Junior Women's Club of Butler led walkers through multiple train cars in Memorial Park on Sunday, which ended up at the North Pole.

Joy the Elf and the Polar Express Conductor get the kids imagination going on Sunday during their Polar Express Walk on Sunday afternoon at Butler Memorial Park. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Dana Summerville, arts chairwoman for the GFWC Junior Women's Club of Butler, said the stationary scenes were designed to take walkers on a journey that relays the story of the “Polar Express,” the movie version of the story which was released in 2004. The club members move the story along as characters from the movie.

Isabella, Hunter and Lincoln Hammond are all smiles after getting their golden tickets for the Polar Express Walk on Sunday afternoon at Butler Memorial Park. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

“We are all elves who get the kids on the train to the North Pole to meet Santa,” Summerville said. “ I just love seeing (visitors) get on the train and do the train noises; it's just a super fun thing to do.”

The setup of a walk-along storytelling experience based on the animated “Polar Express” movie began in 2020 in Alameda Park, which was initially just a way to raise money during the COVID-19 pandemic. It turned out to be a huge draw for the community.

Easton Reich, 2, holds on to his golden ticket on the Polar Express Walk as Michelle Reich pushes him along at Butler Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Walkers moved in groups through the 15-minute story told through the walk. Every few steps had a piece that told another part of the story.

The maximum number of registrants, 240 parties, attended the event throughout the afternoon.

At the end of their journeys, walkers could get some hot chocolate and meet with Santa Claus. They also received a bell to take home with them, which was a plot point in the "Polar Express“ tale.

For Summerville and the rest of the GFWC members, the Polar Express Walk has become a fun tradition thanks to the reaction they get from the attendees.

“We love to see the community smile,” Summerville said. “To see the families and the kids squeal with delight.”

The Geibels, from left, Shannon, Max, 11, and Maverick, 8, sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Sunday afternoon after their Polar Express Walk at Butler Memorial Park. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle