KAWARTHA LAKES-Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has announced the schedule and artist lineup for its 25th annual Holiday Train program, which will begin rolling across Canada and the U.S. on Nov. 20.
Each year, this illuminated train travels across CPKC’s network spreading holiday cheer and raising donations to help people struggling with food insecurity.
“The Holiday Train program is close to the hearts of our CPKC family. Our railroaders take great joy in joining communities across our network as they come together in the giving spirit of the holidays,” said CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel. “We are proud to support local food banks as we fight food insecurity by collecting food and raising money and awareness. I am grateful to all the railroaders and community members who have supported the Holiday Train over the past quarter century and made it such a success.”
Since the Holiday Train program began in 1999, it has visited hundreds of communities and raised over five million pounds of food and more than $22.5 million for community food banks according to CP officials.
“We are thrilled to have the CPKC Holiday Train once again visit Kansas City this season,” said Stephen Davis, President and CEO of Harvesters — The Community Food Network. “It’s such a fun event for the community that also raises food and funds for the 252,000 neighbours in our region experiencing food insecurity. We are grateful for CPKC’s dedication to helping us build a community where no one goes hungry.”
This year’s Holiday Train tour will include 191 live music shows in six provinces and 14 states. For the first time, the Holiday Train will host shows in Pittsburg, Kan., Joplin, Mo., Heavener, Okla., Mena, Ark., Texarkana, Texas, and Shreveport, La.Performing on the Holiday Train will be Virginia to Vegas, Trudy, Anyway Gang, Tyler Shaw, Kiesza, Seaforth, Tenille Townes, Breland, MacKenzie Porter and Dallas Smith.
“I could not be more excited to be getting back on board the Holiday Train again. I feel like I witnessed the best parts of the human spirit on the ride last year, with everybody bundled in the cold bringing donations for their local food bank,” said Tenille Townes, Canadian country music singer-songwriter and CCMA Award winner. “I can’t wait to play and see communities along the way coming together again this year!”
While the train does not come to Kawartha Lakes the closest stop is Bowmanville. The train will arrive at the Scugog Road railway crossing at Wellington Street at 1:45 on November 28th.
It will also be in Oshawa behind the Walmart off Stevenson Road South at 680 Laval Drive on November 28th at 3pm.
A full schedule and details of this year’s Holiday Train and Holiday Express train are available at cpkcr.com/holidaytrain.
Each event is free, with CPKC encouraging every attendee to make a monetary or heart-healthy food donation to ease hunger needs in their community. Local food banks will be accepting donations at each stop to help ensure those in need can access adequate food this holiday season and year-round.
