THUNDER BAY – It may have been unseasonably warm with only traces of snow on the ground, but the CP Holiday Train reminded hundreds of people in Thunder Bay on Friday that Christmas is right around the corner.
The festively decorated train rolled right on schedule to a resounding chorus of cheers at the CPR station on Syndicate Avenue, welcomed by potentially one of the largest crowds to turn out in the city in the past few years.
Kirsten Lavoie said she tries to see the train every year, not matter the weather conditions.
“It’s fun. I like coming. We have a blast every time we come,” she said.
“Usually we’re dancing to keep warm but now we’re dancing for fun.”
The train, which had travelled along the north shore of Lake Superior with visits in Marathon, Schreiber, Terrace Bay and Nipigon earlier in the day, made its way through the city to its east end destination where an eager crowd had been building for more than an hour awaiting its arrival.
Alana Wallace, who came to catch a glimpse of the train for the first time, was already in the holiday spirit.
“I love Christmas. I was ready for Christmas in September,” Wallace said. “I love it. I loved dancing and having fun.”
People who came to welcome the train were treated to performances by Toronto singer Emma-Lee and Canadian rocker Colin James, who added to the festive theme with
The train’s boosts local food banks along its journey, with Canadian Pacific Rail presenting the Regional Food Distribution Association with a $13,000 cheque.
Volker Kromm, the executive director of the Regional Food Distribution Association, said people seem to have a strong connection to the train.
Volunteers collected non-perishable donations, which Kromm said were greatly appreciated.
“The timing couldn’t be better,” Kromm said. “As we’re running up towards Christmas we’re finding ourselves desperately short this year. We’ve had a lot of requests looking for hamper help.”
The holiday train will continue its voyage west on Saturday with stops in Ignace, Dryden, Vermillion Bay and Kenora before ending the day in Winnipeg.
