INNISFAIL - Hundreds of Innisfail and area residents came out to see the CP Holiday Train during its annual festive stop in town last weekend.
This year, Innisfail's Jude Barker was a special guest aboard the CP Holiday Train on Saturday, Dec. 7 after he won the rail safety poster contest at Innisfail Middle School at the end of November.
In addition to entertaining crowds with holiday favourites and musical numbers by Canadian artists Scott Helman and Madeline Merlo, the CP Holiday Train donated $3,500 to the Innisfail and District Food Bank.
Food bank volunteer Anne Vanderham collected the cheque and was joined on the train by Innisfail mayor Jim Romane and Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Devin Dreeshen.
"She's a long-term volunteer and we thought it would be an honour to let her collect the money," said Brenda Hand, co-coordinator of the Innisfail and District Food Bank, who noted local organizations, including the Innisfail Lions Club, Rotary Club of Innisfail and the Innisfail Kinsmen Club, were enthusiastically helping out.
"All three are here today and have been long-term supporters of this event," said Hand. "We are very happy with the crowd because usually this happens on a school day and the schoolchildren come, but there is a good crowd of people here now. Many families, kids and every age group is here.
"We like being able to give back to the community, in that they bring entertainment, they're fun and it's a nice event to bring people to," added Hand. "They are very good supporters (of food banks) across the country."
Several local clubs and organizations were on hand.
"We're here just collecting food donations. There's a good crowd and the weather's been good," said Andrew Ritson-Bennett, president of the local Rotary Club. "It's really nice to see a good turnout."
He noted the Rotary Club has been helping with the CP Holiday Train for 18 years.
"It's great. There's live music, Santa Claus is here and he's got an elf with him," said Ritson-Bennett.
Heather Chatwood of Penhold brought her two sons Tucker and Owen to see the CP Holiday Train.
"The boys are really excited to see it," said Chatwood, noting the community support for the event.
"This is awesome. It's great to see everybody out. It's a little cool but I think it's a pretty nice day today," she said. "I think it's great supporting local causes and making sure local families are able to get different kinds of support at the holiday time."
