Though stores have been decorated for the holidays and radio stations have begun playing Christmas music, numerous Wareham families officially kicked off their holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27 at the Wareham Village Association's Polar Express.

The sold-out train rides departed from Merchants Way, taking passengers to Buzzards Bay. On the trip Polar Express volunteer Rose Berry read aloud from "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg.

"Reading the story is the best part of the whole trip," said Berry.

On the return trips, which brought passengers back into the center of town, elves handed out bells to the children, many of whom were wearing their pajamas on the 7 p.m. train ride - just like in the story - while the passengers sang carols and answered Christmas trivia questions.

Lucille White, a Wareham resident, brought her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren from Middleborough with her. Her son and his family, who were visiting from North Carolina, were also taking part in the event, though they were on a different train.

"It was fun," said White, who had never been to the event before.

White's 6-year-old grandson, Dylan Linch, said his favorite parts of the train ride were the elves and the carol singing.

His older sister Bridget Linch, who is 10 years old, called the ride "awesome" and commented that she wanted to work there in the future.

The train dropped the passengers off at the Old Methodist Meeting House where kids could meet Santa, get their faces painted, and make an ornament while eating a holiday snack. Early train passengers also had the opportunity to take part in a llama petting zoo, but the animals had to be taken away for the evening due to the chilly temperatures.

A trolley made periodic stops at the Old Methodist Meeting House to take families back to their vehicles on Merchants Way.

Phyllis Decas organized the Polar Express with the Wareham Village Assocation because she loves the winter season and had heard about North Conway, New Hampshire's Polar Express event.

"We already had the train, which was the most important part," Decas said, adding that she had "no idea" what she was doing the first year she organized.

In the beginning the crafts and snacks were done in a tent at the station on Merchants Way, but Decas said that spreading it out distance-wise has made it much better.

Though Decas and the Wareham Village Association try to get "a little bigger and a little better" each year, they still keep within the main goal of the event.

"She wanted to do something affordable for the children of Wareham," said Tracey McGraw, Decas' daughter.

Though Decas planned to relax once the event wrapped up, she said because of "the love of the event," the Wareham Village Association has already started planning next year's Polar Express.

Got photos of the Polar Express? Send them to hannah@warehamweek.com and we'll add them to a photo gallery!