-
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Returns on Friday, December 5!
On Friday, December 5, at 4:15pm, the Holiday Train will roll into the Lyons District in Clinton with its festive lights and live entertainment -- all while raising awareness about hunger and spurring donations for local food drives.
The CP Holiday Train is North America's longest rolling food bank fundraiser. Since it started in 1999, the program has raised close to $9.5 million and 3.3 million pounds of food. Over the three weeks of the program, musicians will play more than 150 concerts from a boxcar that’s been turned into a travelling stage.
The concerts are free, but the public is asked to please bring a donation for the local food banks -- either a non-perishable food item or a cash donation. All contributions will stay in the greater Clinton community.
Spectators are encouraged to gather north of the Sawmill Museum at 3:30pm on Friday, December 5, 2014 to enjoy refreshments provided by Sweetheart Bakery and Rastrelli’s Restaurant. Join us for caroling while we await the arrival of the Holiday Train to Clinton. …and dress warmly! Spectators are asked to park west of the train tracks and then gather east of the tracks, as the traveling stage will open toward Harding Street and the river.
A Little History
The Freezin’ for Food program originally brought the Holiday Train to Clinton about 8 years ago. Chris Streets, of Prairie Communications and Mac 94.7 FM and KCLN 1390AM, had the idea for Freezin’ for Food when he moved back to Clinton in 2000.
According to Streets, “I wanted to help my hometown and was told we had a need in our local pantries. I came up with the idea of living in a moving truck and not going home until the truck was full! I spent 6 days and 5 nights the first year and raised about 13,000 pounds of food donations. Ashford University has become our corporate partner on the Food Drive for the past 5 years, and they bring THOUSANDS OF POUNDS of food themselves, every year. They have campus competitions and the students have walked door to door around town asking for donations! They are a perfect partner for this program.”
Ashford University is joined by over 20 other local businesses that sponsor Streets’ Freezin’ for Food program, which is now in its 15th year. Freezin’ for Food has given local pantries a combined 130-150 thousand pounds of food over the past 15 years. They have always worked with the Benevolent Society and the Fulton Food Pantry. This year, the program will help new pantries as well, in order to reach as many families as possible. Information Referral helps to coordinate with the different pantries.
There continues to be a need for canned goods, baby diapers, toiletries, peanut butter, formula, and cash donations, too.
Canadian country music artist, Kira Isabella, will perform in Clinton on the Holiday Train stage. The Convention & Visitors Bureau looks forward to welcoming Kira, and the train, to town! Carrie Donaire, Director of the Clinton Convention and Visitors Bureau stated, “This type of event is just fun for the community. In addition to the food drive and the obvious benefits to the area pantries, it’s just fun to get out and see the train. I’m looking forward to hearing Kira Isabella perform and I’d also like to thank the local volunteers who are helping with parking, event coordination, and refreshment donations.”
The Lyons Business and Professional Association has some surprises in store for the spectators who gather for the train.
Date and Time
Friday Dec 5, 2014
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM CSTFriday, December 5, 2014
Arrive by 3:30 to ensure the tracks are clear for the train
Location
At the east end of Main Avenue by The Sawmill Museum
Clinton, IowaFees/Admission
Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate. All donations will stay with local food pantries in Clinton, Camanche & Fulton.
Tell a Friend