The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will once again stop in Estevan and North Portal this year.
The train that will stop in the southeast will be the U.S. version of the train. It will cross the Canada-U.S. border at North Portal on Dec. 16 at 11:45 a.m., and there will be a concert at noon. Then the train is slated to arrive in Estevan at 3 p.m. for a performance that will begin 15 minutes later.
The train will be facing the vacant lot in the 1300-block of Seventh Street while in Estevan. Meghan Patrick, Tanika Charles and Kelly Prescott will provide entertainment.
Patrick is a rising star in Canadian country music. In addition to her two-year reign as the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Female Artist of the Year, she has been nominated for eight CCMA awards including Album of the Year for both of her studio albums.
She recently received Juno Award nominations for Country Album of the Year and Breakthrough Artist.
Charles emerged on the international scene in 2017 with her debut Soul Run, and is one of the best kept secrets in soul music. Both on the stage and off, she presents a charm, at times endearingly abrasive and honest.
She returns in 2019 ready to reveal the latest chapters of her life since graduating from local favourite to international success.
Prescott comes by her music as a third generation singer/songwriter on both sides of her family. She grew up between a tour bus and a world class recording studio. Prescott and her family recently made their Grand Ole Opry debut as guests of Terri Clark.
“The CP Holiday Train is a program that our 13,000-strong CP family has immense pride in bringing to communities every year,” said Keith Creel, CP’s president and chief executive officer. “Access to nutritious food is a basic necessity, and food bank usage is on the rise across North America. The CP Holiday Train program is our way to help in the fight against hunger by growing awareness of this issue and providing a fun and engaging way for the public to show their support.”
The Holiday Train has now raised more than C$15.8 million and collected 4.5 million pounds of food since its inaugural journey back in 1999. It features several brightly decorated rail cars that help people get in the Christmas spirit. One of those rail cars transforms into the entertainment stage.
The Estevan Salvation Army will be on hand to accept donations for its food bank.
The U.S. train starts its tour on Nov. 25 at Adirondack Junction, Kahnawake in Quebec, but will spend most of its time south of the border. The tour wraps up Dec. 18 in Gleichen, Alta.
