The CPKC Holiday Train will be officially kicking off on Nov. 22, on it’s way to Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
Every year two holiday trains make their way across Canada and the United States, decorated in thousands of colourful Christmas lights, and hosting a stage for live entertainment, to the delight of children and adults alike.
All the while collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations for food banks across North America.
And the need this year is huge, said Friends in Need Food Bank general manager Evan Seal, where donations will be received.
“The need is always huge as donations for other events this year have been down compared to previous years, yet the need is continuously increasing every month,” said Seal. “All donations, large or small, make a real impact.”
This year the Barenaked Ladies will be entertaining the crowds from Calgary, all the way to Vancouver.
They will be coming to Maple Ridge at 8 p.m., at the Port Haney Wharf on Friday, Dec. 19, and in Pitt Meadows at 9:05 p.m. the same night at the intersection of Harris Road and Advent Road.
Over the past 35 years, the Barenaked Ladies have sold more than 15 million records across the globe, with hits like: “If I Had $1,000,000”, “One Week”, “Pinch Me”, and “The Big Bang Theory” theme song. Barenaked Ladies has amassed eight JUNO Awards and garnered two GRAMMY nominations and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Their 18th studio album, “In Flight”, was released in 2023 and featured 14 brand new studio recordings.
This year, the CPKC Holiday Train will be travelling more of the railroad network than ever before, said the company. At each stop they will be collecting cash and non-perishable food donations.
“The annual CPKC Holiday Train is such a tremendous event. With the Barenaked Ladies headlining this year’s event, on a Friday night, it should be a fantastic family event in support of the Friends In Need Food Bank,” added Seal.
“Let’s hope for great weather to help celebrate the holiday season.”
Since its inaugural journey in 1999, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised more than $26 million for local food banks and collected around 5.4 million pounds of food, in both countries.