The magical story of The Polar Express came to life for children in the State College area this weekend.

The Polar Express is a Christmas event that includes a reading of the book by Chris Van Allsburg at Schlow Memorial Library, 118 S. Fraser St., and a trolley ride around downtown State College to Santa's workshop at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center. The Downtown State College Improvement District sponsors the event.

"We've always had our tree-lighting ceremony, and we wanted to go a step further and provide a gift for the children," Teresa Sparacino, Downtown Improvement District executive director, said.

The event is a part of an effort to make downtown State College a destination for families, as well as to enhance the overall image of the downtown area, David Wells, chairman of the district's marketing committee, said.

"Over the holidays ... it's just a great family activity," he said.

Parents and children sat in a circle on the floor around the storyteller, who sat in a high-backed wooden chair resembling a small throne.

The children listened quietly as Marcia Heitzmann, a first-grade teacher at Radio Park Elementary School, read the story, often asking them questions to encourage their participation.

"They get to hear a story while they're here, and they can see how a book can be used," Rebecca McTavish, a children's library technician, said. "It makes the story really come alive to the children."

After hearing the story of The Polar Express, children were given a velvet pouch, containing a gold coin and a silver bell, like the one the main character of the story receives from Santa's sleigh.

"If you can keep the sound of the silver bell in your heart, Christmas will always come to you," Heitzman said, ending the story.

The children and their parents then boarded the big, blue Penn State Trolley, which took them around downtown State College.

As it approached the theater, Mike Zucco, the trolley conductor, came over the loud speaker.

"Should we ring the bell to let Santa know we're coming?" he asked, which received shouts of approval and excitement from the children.

Once inside the theater, the children hurried down the stairs, lined with large wooden soldiers, ballerinas and lighted Christmas trees, to have their picture taken with Santa.

"It was really fun," Gary Weyandt, father of three children who participated, said. "The storyteller was great. They really enjoyed the trolley ride. It was a great way to see Santa."

After their visit with Santa, the children decorated frames for their pictures and explored Santa's gift shop. Each gift could be purchased with the gold coin in their pouches and gifts were wrapped by elves.

"It was really very nice," Cynthia Pristash, mother of 10-month-old Annika, said. "We made a whole day of it. We went to the toy sale at the Presbyterian Church, and had breakfast with Santa at the Corner Room."

The community response to The Polar Express has been very favorable, with a large turnout each weekend, Sparacino said.

At one point on Saturday there were over 100 parents and children in the children's section of the library, and all of the trolley rides were filled to capacity. "Everybody is just so thankful," Wells said. "There's just a lot of gratitude. It's magical!"

Although this event is primarily geared toward families with children aged 12 and under, people of all ages are encouraged to participate.

"Anybody's welcome: families, young couples, college students," McTavish said.

The Polar Express is held Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., and it runs until Dec. 19.