INNISFAIL/OLDS/DIDSBURY — Following an in-person absence of three years due to the COVID - 19 pandemic, the CP Holiday Train returned on Dec. 10 to warm the hearts of several hundred excited citizens in three regional towns.
But that was after arriving at its first stop in Innisfail nearly one hour late of the scheduled time of 1:15 p.m.
The delay proved too much for some, and with their young children increasingly feeling the brunt of the cold, many left before it arrived to take in other scheduled events, including the third annual Innisfail Grinchmas.
It was not until shortly before 2:15 p.m. when the holiday train stopped at Innisfail’s staging area at 52nd Avenue and Main Street.
On Monday, Dec. 12, CP responded to the Albertan’s request for a comment on the delay.
“CP regrets the holiday train's late arrival for Innisfail. The team makes every effort to keep the train on time; sometimes delays occur outside of the holiday train's control,” said Salem Woodrow from the company’s media relations office. “CP appreciates the support it receives from the community to raise money and food for the food bank.”
And once the show began it was a magical experience for everyone.
Toronto-based songwriter Aysanabee opened with a 20-minute set. The crowd was appreciative with the talented singer-songwriter’s solemn and soaring vocals and his fine band.
But it was Grand Prairie’s Tenille Townes who instantly gave the once freezing audience the warmth they desperately needed with a half-hour powerhouse performance in Innisfail, and later in Olds and Didsbury.
Not only did she rock out with her hits, but had the crowd dancing to old-time holiday season favourites.
She even signed autographs in Innisfail while she sang and her band played with blistering passion.
“I remember what it felt like to listen to live music with my family and dream of how cool it might be to sing songs for people some day. Thank you so much for helping make this dream come true, this is so cool,” said Townes to a cheering crowd in Olds.
“And to all those dreamers in the house with us here, I just want you to know that I’m cheering for you and I hope that you go for your wildest and craziest dreams.”
While the performances from both Townes and Aysanabee were inspiring, the 24th annual holiday train event’s priority was about raising awareness for the hungry during its long trek through 165 communities across its network.
During a break between performances, the audience was told that since 1999, people in those communities have collected more than five million pounds of food and helped raise more than $21 million.
Heather Taylor, co-coordinator of the Innisfail and District Food Bank, was on stage with Town of Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay to accept a cheque of $3,500 from CP.
Later in Olds, Tayva Graham, a director of the Mountain View Food Bank, received a cheque of $4,000 that will benefit agency clients in town and the surrounding area, including Didsbury.
“It was great to see. The food banks are the charity of choice for CP, and it's great to see them donate $3,500 to the community here,” said Barclay, who was joined on stage by Earl Dreeshen, federal MP for the riding of Red Deer – Mountain View and Devin Dreeshen, the provincial MLA for the riding of Innisfail-Sylvan Lake. “And I know the food bank has had a very successful season the last few weeks, so it's just a great day for Innisfail.”
In Olds, the mood was equally festive, despite the train being at least 30 minutes late or more from its scheduled arrival time of 2:45 p.m.
Mayor Judy Dahl said everyone was “grateful” for CP’s return to town and the $4,000 donation that will help the disadvantaged during the holiday season.
“On behalf of all your elected officials and the people of Olds and region, we are delighted to have you all here,” said Dahl, who was accompanied by Graham and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper. “We’re happy for your donations — and your kids and families and the babies. We love you all.”
By the time the holiday train arrived in Didsbury the festive event was nearly on time.
“The train had some sort of delay in Red Deer, and after Innisfail they arrived in Olds at about 3:15 or 3:20. They got back pretty close to schedule on arriving in Didsbury,” said Town of Didsbury Mayor Rhonda Hunter who praised the “magical” holiday train. “What amazing attendance with people as far as you could see in downtown Didsbury.
“Thanks so much to Canadian Pacific for getting this magical train back on the tracks for such a great, great cause and for such a wonderful stage show, and for their continued support and promotion of Mountain View Food Bank and food banks across Canada,” added Hunter.
“Didsbury residents truly show their amazing holiday spirit and generosity with donations. Didsbury loves the CP holiday train.”
With files from Albertan editors Doug Collie and Dan Singleton
