DIDSBURY - The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train rolled through Didsbury again this year bringing Christmas cheer, festive music and a nice donation for the local food bank. Around 400 people came out to the train station in downtown Didsbury to see the train on Dec. 11.
Performing on the train were musicians Terri Clark, Kelly Prescott and Sierra Noble. Headliner Clark performed several of her original tunes as well as some Christmas standards.
As well, Didsbury Neighborhood Place staff was on hand at the train station handing out hot chocolate and cookies.
The big winner of the event once again was the Mountain View Food Bank, which serves the entire Mountain View County area. On stage before the music, Canadian Pacific presented the food bank with a cheque for $4,000.
In addition, 913 pounds of food and another $806.95 was collected at the event in Didsbury.
At the train's stop in Olds, the food bank received a cheque for $4,000 from CP as well. In addition, 525 pounds of food and $309.50 was collected there.
Vicky Johnson, president of the food bank, said the donations are much appreciated especially at this time of year. Johnson, who was able to ride the train from Innisfail to Didsbury, said it was a wonderful show.
"It was great," said Johnson. "I always love riding in the train. It's always fun. It was completely full this year. Terri Clark is an Alberta favourite so that was really good. CP Rail always puts on a great show and they're a great organization to work with."
Johnson said that the holidays is a tough time of year for many of their clients.
"The donations are huge for us," she said. "Our donations have been down this year. The economy is not the best. To get another $8,000 is just terrific. It's great. All the money we collect will go to running the food bank and buying food. We don't have any paid staff and very low overhead."
Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter was one of the local dignitaries on board the train. She spoke to the audience before the musicians performed, and talked about what the train means to the area.
"Didsbury has been part of this great CP Holiday Train tradition for most of the 20 years," Hunter told the Gazette. "The stop here in Didsbury has now become part of our Christmas season traditions and really adds to the holiday spirit here in town."
Hunter said the music was very good and everyone in attendance seemed to really enjoy the event.
"The show was terrific," Hunter told the Gazette. "A person always admires our talented Canadian musicians. "
The CP Holiday Train has been riding the rails for 20 years and has raised more than $14.5 million and gathered more than four million pounds of food for communities along CP's routes in Canada and the United States.
