Holiday Train coming to Moosomin Dec. 6
Stops in Virden and Broadview planned on same date
October 28, 2024, 9:59 am
Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The CP Holiday Train will be returning to Moosomin this Christmas season, with a stopped planned for December 6.
Now in its 26th year, the holiday tradition continues to bring festive entertainment and raise money and food awareness for people struggling with food insecurity from Nov. 21 to Dec. 20.
This year, the train rolls through the area on Dec. 6, beginning with a 10:30 am stop in Virden (on the north side of the tracks on 5th Avenue South), then Moosomin at noon (on the north side of the tracks at 1001 Front Street), and Broadview at 2 pm (at the CP Train Station, Front Street).
“Over the course of about five hours, you can watch three different shows, if the weather permits for some safe driving,” said Terry Cunha, media relations manager with CPKC. “It’d be a great way to spend the afternoon!”
Between the Holiday Train and its American counterpart, the Holiday Express, 12 artists will makes 160 stops during the campaign. While admission is free to take in the shows, a donation to the local food bank is encouraged.
“It’s very similar to previous shows where each time that the Holiday Train stops, we will be having a 30 minute live performance with a very talented group of musicians, as has been done each year,” Cunha explained. “It’s just a great way to help raise funds and donations for local food banks, and we’ve been very fortunate for the outpouring of support that we get from everyone who comes out and watches these shows.”
The support is overwhelming as Cunha explained how people across the country so freely give to the cause.
“Over the course of our history, we’ve been able to raise over $24 million in funds to local food banks and over five million pounds of food, and we’re looking forward to continuing to build on that this year,” he said. “So we just ask everyone who’s coming out to bring a non-perishable food item that can be donated to your local food bank.”
The highly visual campaign often brings food banks a much-needed replenishment to their shelves.
“From some discussions we’ve had, for many of the food banks across the way that we meet with in each of our stops they reach, many of them have acknowledged that the amount they raised during that one stop is very much equivalent to some of the food they raise all year,” said Cunha. “So it does have a positive impact.”
All three stops will feature free concerts by a number of artists.
“The shows across Virden, Moosomin, and Broadview are all going to be with Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish. Those two very talented artists will be performing at each of those three shows during the stops on December 6,” Cunha confirmed. “Speaking to a lot of individuals, that’s kind of how they kick off the holidays is when this holiday train comes in and stops in the community. It’s kind of the official kickoff to the Christmas season. So it’s great. There’s so much enthusiasm from members of the community and the public.”
When asked about his favorite part of the Holiday Train experience, Cunha was quick to answer ‘the stops.’
“I’m fortunate enough that in addition to emceeing and introducing our musical acts, I’m introducing the local elected officials who are there as well,” he said. “It’s just an opportunity to walk around to talk to people, from meeting with members of the food bank who are dedicated members of the community, supporting those in need, to just talking to groups of individuals.
“I’m born and raised Canadian, and I get to see many of the communities across the prairies now through the Holiday Train. It’s just a great way to get out and see and what’s going on in some of the other areas across Canada and what they do during the holiday season.”
