PHOTOS: Magic Rolled in on The Rails!

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This article is 4764 days old.
The information listed below is likely outdated and has been preserved for archival purposes.

The place to be on Thursday evening was the Canadian Pacific Train Yard off of Caron Ave., just south of Wyandotte St. W.  The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolled into town and as the sun sank in the sky the party got going!

The goal of the CP Holiday Train is to collect food and money for local food banks and to raise awareness in the fight against hunger. Since the program’s inception back in 1999, more than $5.6 million and over 2.45 million pounds of food has been collected.

The local Unemployed Help Centre was here to collect the generous donations of food the community brought… here Linda Davidson receives a sackful from Christopher.

As the sun sank lower the crowd started to gather in anticipation of the show… and enjoyed the hot chocolate pavilion!

*The Man* himself made a special appearance, much to the delight of his adoring fans!

As the darkness set in the fun started. The magical box car stage slowly lowered its side, the smoke billowed, the laser lights illuminated the night and the show began!

The Canadian Pacific Corporation presented Linda Davidson, of the Unemployed Help Centre, with a generous cheque to support the local food bank.

The band “Red Plaid Jacket” took the stage with some excellent guitars, drums and rhythm. Kids in the crowd were soon dancing along.

The guys in the band were having just as much fun entertaining the crowd!

Dancing to the music as he went, Santa worked the crowd, sharing candy canes and Christmas wishes.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=276ky7ES8ak[/youtube]

Young and old enjoyed the lights and stage show.

Canadian artist, Sydney Grigg sang along with Red Plaid Jacket and shared both old classics and some of her own material.  (Her current album – “Perfect Kind of Bad” is available in iTunes )

Santa was finally convinced to come on stage and boogied along with the band.

The hour flew by… then the Plaids and Sydney waved goodbye  and stage silently folded up again.

The departing crowd explored the lit train cars… cameras were flashing and kids were having fun.

In the deepening dark, the puddles from recent rain storms were wonderful pools of  reflected neon.

Finally as crowd dispersed,  the rail yard grew empty and silent.

A farewell whistle, and then with bells clanging and all the cars still brilliantly lit, the magical Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolled away again… down the track and  on to the next community.  This year they will visit 140 communities!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtiwjaa4b2M[/youtube]