Holiday train pulls into Les Cèdres for show and food bank aid

Those intrigued by the concept can witness the spectacle firsthand tomorrow night in Les Cèdres, when the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train makes its fourth annual stop in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges town on Sunday, November 30, at 4 p.m.

The train will embark on its two-week journey on Saturday, November 29, from Montreal, finishing up in Port Moody, B.C., on Friday, December 19.

CP communications agent Michel Spinard said the 10th annual Canadian trip (there is a U.S. equivalent train that travels through the states) highlights “the very real need” for help at food banks in Canada and the U.S.

“In the 10 years that we’ve operated the holiday train we’ve taken in $3.5 million in donations, and 1.8 million pounds of food for food banks,” Spinard said.

And all food collected at each stop stays with each local food bank. “When the train stops in Les Cèdres this Sunday, the food we collect will stay there to help their food bank,” Spinard noted.

Sunday’s event will start with the collection of non-perishable food and money donations, which will be followed by a presentation to the Les Cèdres food bank.

A thirty minute music show presented from the train’s show car will follow.

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Tracey Brown and Canadian Country Music Awards winner Johnny Reid will perform. In all, the holiday train will stay in Les Cèdres close to 45 minutes, says Spinard.

After, that the holiday train will roll on to Smiths Falls, Ontario, as its second stop.

It will eventually reach Port Moody, BC.

Spinard says the Canada and U.S. trains stop in 128 locations, helping food banks in each town.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop at Les Cèdres, on Sunday, November 30 at 4:00 p.m., though visitors can begin arriving as early as 3:00 p.m. Shuttle services will operate on chemin Saint-Dominique, south of the CP tracks, from the intersection of montée Chénier.

Heated tents will be provided, as will hot chocolate. All food donations should include non-perishable goods.

For information: 450-452-2462