The CP Rail’s Holiday Train arrived a little earlier in the day this year, but that didn’t prevent more than 200 people, many of them pre-school youngsters from turning out to hear some music and join in the fun at the rail siding on Ninth Avenue in Estevan last Wednesday afternoon.
The purpose of the train’s excursion is to raise awareness and funds for local food banks while providing entertainment for the public and cash for the food banks.
After making a noon stopover in North Portal, the American arm of the CP Holiday Train, made its way to Estevan and then on to Weyburn on the final leg of a two-week journey that took it from the American eastern region near Chicago through the American mid-west and back into Canada to it’s dismantling station in Moose Jaw on Dec. 18.
The arrival in Estevan also earned a $4,500 cheque from CP Rail for the Estevan Food Bank with the large cheque being accepted by local food bank manager Lieut. Brian Bobolo of the Salvation Army who also thanked the local residents attending the concert for their food and cash donations at the site while everyone enjoyed hot chocolate, compliments of the Army.
On the stage, the energy level was high as noted Canadian country and western star Kira Isabella rocked the musical world with a mixture of C&W and traditional Christmas theme songs, including a few that invited the chilly audience to join in.
Isabella is a 10-year-veteran of the country and western stage, which is a remarkable record since she is only 20 years old, but she has already gained respect and admiration among her peers, having been nominated for a Juno Award and being named the Canadian Country Music Award’s Female Artist of the Year last year.
CP officials also extended an invitation for train enthusiasts to join them aboard for certain legs of the trip and to participate in the Holiday Train photo contest.
While several school students were unable to view this year’s event due to its earlier arrival, those in attendance said they were impressed with the turnout in spite of the more chilly temperatures that prevailed.
