After two years stuck in the train shed due to the pandemic, the Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train returns to the rails this year to bring joy to folks along the route and raise money and food for local food banks.
The bedazzled train will arrive at Wauwatosa’s Harwood Avenue crossing at 4 pm on Friday, Dec. 9, after having stopped at Caledonia’s 11402 County Road G crossing the night before at 8 pm Before heading to Caledonia, the festival freighter will also be at the Sturtevant Amtrak station on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 6:45 pm
Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea and Kelly Prescott will provide the musical entertainment at all three stops.
“I’m grateful to the CP team members who adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver two exceptional virtual Holiday Train shows and to all those who continued to donate while we kept community members safe,” said Keith Creel, CP’s president and CEO , in a statement.
“The Holiday Train is all about families and communities coming together to celebrate the season and help those in need. We are excited to be back out on the rails and in our communities, taking these two beautiful trains across our network and sharing the joy that comes with gathering in the spirit of giving.”
There is no charge to attend the shows, which last about 30 minutes and start about 15 minutes after the train’s arrival time.
However, CP Rail urges attendees to make a cash or non-perishable food donation if they are able. Local food banks will be on hand to collect the donations.
Since the Holiday Train took to the tracks in 1999, it has raised more than $21 million and collecting 5 million pounds of food for food pantries in the US and Canada.
“This year, more than ever, the support, awareness and goodwill that the CP Holiday Train brings will make an impact beyond imagination to the food support programs of East Side Neighborhood Services,” said Mary Anstett, Vice President, Community Engagement for East Side Neighborhood Services in Minneapolis.
“With the support that Holiday Train brings in, we can rest assured that so many will have warm nutritious food on their tables in the coldest months.”