5 December 2008
Holiday Train Making a Stop in Regina
Regina Saskatchewan - Santa has once again traded in his
sleigh for a locomotive this year.
One of the two Holiday Trains provided by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) will be stopping at Regina's Mosaic Stadium on Monday.
These trains are covered in Christmas lights and will be making stops in Canada and the U.S. to raise food, money, and awareness for
food pantries.
"Everything raised in the community stays in the community so they know they are helping out their neighbours," said CPR
spokeswoman Nicole Rose.
Several Canadian artists have volunteered their time to perform live at each stop to encourage people to help out the cause. Melanie
Doane, Juno Award-winning singer and songwriter, and Shaun Verreault of Wide Mouth Mason are on board the train going
through the U.S., while Johnny Reid, the male country music artist of the year, and Tracey Brown, a country music hall of famer, are
on the one in Canada.
"I just cannot believe how many people are showing up to this. It's unbelievable, it's incredible. I would have done this three
or four years ago if I'd known about it," said Reid.
The holiday train in the U.S. started out in Pennsylvania and will be crossing the border to reach Weyburn and Estevan. The holiday
train in Canada took off from Montreal on 26 Nov 2008 and will be concluding its journey in Port Moody, B.C. on
19 Dec 2008.
"It's a wonderful family tradition and it starts to get people in the Christmas spirit," said Wayne Hellquist, CEO of the
Regina and District Food Bank.
The holiday train will be stopping near the Mosaic Stadium parking lot at 5:15 p.m on Monday, and Reid and Brown will put on a free
concert. Those attending are asked to make a cash donation or bring perishable food items to support the initiative, which has raised
nearly $4 million and two million pounds of food over the past 10 years.
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