CP Holiday Train rolling into Gleichen again

By Brad Everett Times Contributor

The Canadian Pacific Railway U.S. Holiday Train will be making the final stop of its journey at Gleichen/Siksika on Dec. 18 at around 9:40 p.m. and the community organizers are hoping for a repeat of the reception they gave the train last year.
“Last year was wildly successful,” said Margaret Newton, secretary of the Gleichen and District Community Association. “The number of people, events and food bank donations at the Gleichen/Siksika stop caught the attention of the Holiday Train organizers so much that they wanted to stop again this year.
Last year, despite -25 C temperatures, close to 3,000 people turned out to greet the train. CPR gave a $4,000 donation to the Wheatland County and Siksika Food Banks, and attendees donated $875 and 1,350 lbs. of food which was split between the two food banks.
This year the Holiday Train is featuring musical artists Meghan Patrick, Tanika Charles and Kelly Prescott.
As well, the Calgary Stampede Queen and Princesses and the Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess will be making an appearance.
The communities are working together again to provide an evening of activities and entertainment beginning at 5 p.m.
“We are hoping to bring in more native dancers this year – but inside this time,” said Sandra Sparvier, health promotions liaison for Siksika Health Services.
“There will also be two DJs performing – DJ Blkft and DJ Painted Horse – for people to listen to or to dance and keep warm,” said Sparvier.
Food will also be available, including hotdogs for $1 or donation of a non-perishable food item.
Vendors will have booths set up in the Gleichen Hall for those looking to do some shopping.
All the food and funds raised from the evening, including the donation from CP Rail, will be split between the Wheatland County Food Bank and the Siksika Food Resource Centre.
“Some people asked why we don’t take the money we put into this event and just give it directly to the food banks,” said Sparvier. “But that would help only a few people.
“I tell them that with everyone putting their few dollars together we can have a big event and touch the lives of hundreds of families in both communities.”
CP has two holiday trains. The Canadian one left Montreal on Nov. 26 and follows CP’s tracks to Vancouver, arriving on Dec. 17. The U.S. train left Montreal on Nov. 26, making stops in southern Ontario and New York state, before picking up again in Chicago, Ill. and making its way through several states before crossing into Saskatchewan, with the final show of the trip being in Gleichen on Dec. 18.