The CPKC Holiday Train is traveling through the region to celebrate its 25th anniversary

The CPKC Holiday Train, formerly known as the CP Holiday Train, returns to Innisfail, Olds and Didsbury for its 25th season, visiting communities across the CPKS network and helping those in need.

The railroad’s quarter-century-old Holiday Train Initiative has raised more than $22.5 million and more than 5.1 million pounds of food for community food banks across North America since 1999 to help people struggling with food insecurity.

The 2023 Canadian Holiday Train schedule begins the week of November 21-25 and ends the week of December 17-19.

“With your help, we can continue to bring food, money and awareness to people facing hunger across North America,” Mark Piciacchia, CPKC manager of Indigenous relations and government affairs, said in an Oct. 12 letter to the city’s mayor Innisfail, Jean Barclay.

The holiday train will travel around the local area on Friday, December 8, stopping in Innisfail, Olds and Didsbury.

The first event will take place at 12:45 p.m. in Innisfail at the 50th Street railroad crossing. The festivities, which also include a performance by Canadian alternative rock group Anyway Gang from a colorful train stage, will take place from 12:55 to 1:25 p.m

The CPKC Holiday Train will then travel to Olds and is scheduled to arrive at the 50th Street railroad crossing at 2:20 p.m., with a festive and fun event from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m

Then it goes to Didsbury and reaches the CPKC train tracks at 20th Street and 18th Avenue around 3:30 p.m. Another event will take place from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m

The CPKC Holiday Train will end its day with a visit to Airdrie on December 8th. It arrives at Nose Creek Park on Main Street at 5:15 p.m. and runs from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m

Anyway Gang will provide entertainment at all regional stops, while CPKC will make a donation to each food bank or relief organization.

Participants at each stop are also encouraged to donate.