Canadian Pacific Holiday Train returns after two-year hiatus to support food banks

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is going on its first cross-continent tour in three years after pivoting to virtual concerts because of COVID-19, to again raise money, food and awareness for local food banks in communities along the Canadian Pacific network, including 10 Iowa cities.

“The Holiday Train is all about families and communities coming together to celebrate the season and help those in need,” Keith Creel, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “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."

The 2022 tour launched Nov. 23 with the Holiday Train's first-ever Maine shows. The tour will feature 168 live shows. A full schedule is available at cpr.ca/holidaytrain.

Iowa shows include:

Davenport from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the corner of Western Avenue and West River Drive. Performers: Lindsay Ell and Texas Hill.
Muscatine from 7:45 to 8:15 p.m. Dec. 3 at the west end of River Side Park at Chestnut Street and Harbor Drive. Performers: Lindsay Ell and Texas Hill.
Ottumwa from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at CP station, 1300 Wildwood Dr., across Interstate 34 from Kohl’s. Performers: Lindsay Ell and Texas Hill.
Clinton from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at the east end of Main Avenue, near the sawmill museum. Performers: Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott.
Bellevue from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Horizon Lanes parking lot, corner of Jefferson Avenue and Elizabeth Street. Performers: Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott.
Dubuque from 8:45 to 9:15 p.m. Dec. 6 at Hawthorne Street railway crossing, corner of Hawthorne Street and Rohmberg Avenue. Performers: Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott.
Guttenberg from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the east side of Schiller Street railway crossing. Performers: Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott.
Marquette from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Marina parking lot, north of Casino Queen Marquette at Water Street and Highway 76. Performers: Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott.
Lansing from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the ball field on South Front Street between North Second and Dodge Street. Performers: Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott.
New Albin from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 in the parking lot adjacent Canadian Pacific tracks on Railroad Street between Ross Avenue and Oak Street. Performers: Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott.

This year's live performers will include Alan Doyle, Tenille Townes, Mackenzie Porter and Lindsay Ell, among others. Details about this year's artists and who will play which shows are available at cpr.ca/holidaytrain.

Andy Cummings, Canadian Pacific’s U.S. spokesperson, said there is a special stage car on each train, with 14 1,000-foot rail cars. The boxcar has a special set of doors that drops down to form a stage and contains microphones, instruments and more.

“People come back for the holiday train,” Cummings said. “The enthusiasm kids bring to an event is unlike anything else. To feel that energy every time you pull into a town is invigorating. It’s part of the cause behind it, to know we’re part of raising money for an important cause.”

Holiday Train shows are free to attend, though attendees are asked to bring a cash or non-perishable food donations if they’re able.

Local food shelves will set up collection stations at each event, where all donations made will stay with the local food bank to help people in need in the community. Local food shelves buy food at a discount, so cash donations can go further than food donations.

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Since the Holiday Train program launched in 1999, Canadian Pacific reports it has raised more than $21 million and collected 5 million pounds of food for community food banks across North America.

“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,” Mary Anstett, vice president of Community Engagement for East Side Neighborhood Services in Minneapolis, said in a statement.

Elijah Decious contributed to this article

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train (Neil Zeller/Canadian Pacific)