Special holiday tradition returns to Hamilton

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Published November 18, 2019 at 6:37 pm

For the 21st year in Hamilton, the Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train is back in a big way.

For the 21st year in Hamilton, the Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train is back in a big way.

The event welcoming the train’s arrival, on Thursday, Nov. 28, will raise money and accept food donations for local food banks. The train will arrive in Hamilton at 7:45 pm. along Lawrence Rd. just south of Gage Park.

The Holiday Train features 14 rail cars decorated with thousands of technology-leading LED lights.

Once the train has safely come to a stop at Gage Park, a modified boxcar stage opens up for a free concert.

Musician Alan Doyle (formerly of Great Big Sea) is headlining the event with the Beautiful Band. Santa is expected to put in an appearance as well. Hamilton Bulldogs’ mascot Bruiser and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ mascot Stripes will also be on hand to celebrate.

CP Holiday Train, in partnership with Hamilton Food Share, asks the public to bring coins and healthy, non-perishable food donations such as tuna, beans, rice, pasta, cereal and baby food to the event.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco and community volunteers will be onsite to collect donations that will assist emergency food programs (food banks and hot meal lines) in Hamilton.

“Hamilton Food Share is honoured to be part of the Holiday Train tradition with CP and to celebrate the generosity of our community,” said Joanne Santucci, Executive Director, Hamilton Food Share.

Two Hamilton Food Share trucks will be on-site collecting donations including a new truck which was purchased with a recent grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The truck will be publicly unveiled by MPP Paul Miller at this year’s concert hosted by Ward 3 Councilor Nrinder Nann on behalf of the City of Hamilton.

In an effort to ensure public safety during the CP Holiday Train event, a section of Lawrence Rd. (from Cumberland Ave. to Kensington Ave. S.) will be closed from 5 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m. During this road closure, there will be no access to and from the Gage Park parking lot (entrance located at 50 Lawrence Rd.).

CP’s annual Holiday Train program is a rolling fundraising event that travels across Canada and the United States.

Hamilton has one of the largest audiences of any show, estimated at 12,000.

Photo courtesy of CP Holiday Train facebook page

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