Holiday Train to visit Monday

On Monday, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train is scheduled to arrive in Elbow Lake, bringing with it two music stars.

While music and a lighted train may be the big draw, there is a higher mission for the performers and those attending the event raising funds and food for the Grant County Emergency Food Shelf and the Hoffman-Kensington Area Food Shelf.

CPKC will be donating to the food shelves and is asking area residents to also make generous donations. Representatives of the local food shelves will be on site to take donations.

The Holiday Train is scheduled to arrive in Elbow Lake at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 16, stopping at the CPKC train tracks intersection with U.S. Highway 59. The event is free.

Headlining this year’s performance in Elbow Lake are stars Seaforth and Alana Springstein, who will perform between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

As the lighted and decorated Holiday Train travels across Canada and the United States, its lights stay on when traveling on tracks owned by CPKC. Each Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet long and consists of 14 rail cars decorated with LED lights and holiday designs.

The 2024 CPKC Holiday Train tours Canada and the United States from Nov. 21 through Dec. 20, raising money, food, and awareness for the important work that food banks do in their communities. Monday, Dec. 16. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available in the Star Bank lobby for Christmas photos and treats from 3 p.m. until the show begins at 4:30 p.m. Along with live holiday music performed by Anne O’Flynn. 

Food shelf donations accepted from Thanksgiving through Dec. 16 at many Chamber locations. Elbow Lake Fire Department trucks will block off part of the street in front of the Holiday Train for security reasons.

What is the Holiday Train event like?

A typical Holiday Train event generally follows this schedule and performance: The train arrives and pulls to a safe stop in front of the crowd. The stage door lowers, and the band opens with its first song, followed by a brief presentation with the local food bank officials and other dignitaries on stage. Once the presentation is done, the band resumes the show, singing a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs and popular original songs.

After the final song, the boxcar door closes, and the train is on its way to the next stop. CPKC asks that those attending the Holiday Train events keep a safe distance from the train at all times so the train can continue safely on its journey.