It will arrive in Didsbury around 3:30 pm on December 8th at the Didsbury Train Station. After about half an hour of singing and visiting, around 4:15 pm the train will head south to Airdrie and then spend Sunday in Calgary.

Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train has raised more than $21 million and 5 million pounds of food for North American food banks. All donations raised at a Holiday Train stop remain in that community.

"The Holiday Train is all about families and communities coming together to celebrate the season and help those in need," said Keith Creel, CP's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to be back out on the rails and in our communities, taking these two beautiful trains across our network and sharing the joy that comes with gathering in the spirit of giving.”"

The Holiday Train wouldn't be as successful at raising hunger awareness if it weren't for dedicated community volunteers and members of the media. And when the train arrives in towns and cities, it's all worth it.

This year, music will be by The Anyway Gang, a Canadian musical group, consisting of Sam Roberts, Chris Murphy (from Sloan), Josh the Sock, and Dave Monks (from Tokyo Police Club). It's great to have such terrific Canadian talent spreading holiday cheer right here in Didsbury!

The group formed in the summer of 2018 and released their debut single, "Big Night" in September, 2019. Their debut album, Anyway Gang, was released on November 29, 2019, on Royal Mountain Records. Based on their quick-witted conversational quips, the band's potential for giggle-worthy onstage banter seems boundless.

For newcomers to Didsbury, here's what happens: the train arrives and pulls to a safe stop in front of the crowd at the Train Station downtown. The stage door lowers and the band opens with its first song. After that, a brief presentation takes place with local food bank officials and other dignitaries. Once complete, the band resumes performing a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs. The whole event lasts about 30 minutes. Once the band plays its farewell show, the boxcar door closes, and the train slips off to the next stop.

It's all free, but please bring healthy food options or a monetary donation for the Mountain View Food Bank. Every pound of food and dollar raised at each stop stays with the local food bank to help feed those in need in that community.