All aboard!

The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) holiday train will pass through several eastern Ontario cities next month.

The 26th edition of the CPKC Festive Ride will begin in Saint John, New Brunswick on November 21. As is tradition, the illuminated train will travel across Canada, bringing holiday cheer and collecting donations for local food banks.

Rail enthusiasts in Eastern Ontario will have their first chance to see the train on November 28, when it passes through Finch, Ontario. The train will stop in each city for approximately 30 minutes before continuing its journey. The train will then travel to Merrickville, Smiths Falls and Perth.

On November 29, the train will stop in Belleville and Trenton before heading to southern Ontario.

The Eastern Ontario portion of the route will feature musical performances by Canadian singer-songwriter Tyler Shaw and Mowhawk singer-songwriter Shawnee Kish. The show is free, but donations are encouraged.

“The Holiday Train brings people together in the holiday spirit as it travels across Canada and the United States, while generating critical support for our neighbors in need through the program’s support of local food banks,” said Keith Creel, president and CEO of CPKC in a press release.

“We are happy to once again send this magical train on a four-week journey across our network, spreading holiday cheer while collecting food and raising funds to combat food insecurity.” We can’t wait to see all the smiles and cheers from young and old again. come together in a spirit of generosity. »

Since 1999, the Holiday Train has raised more than $24.3 million and more than 5.3 million pounds of food for community food banks, according to CPKC. The train will pass through seven provinces and 13 American states.

A complete schedule and details on this year’s Holiday Train and Holiday Express trains are available at cpkcr.com/holidaytrain.

Eastern Ontario Holiday Train Schedule:

• Finch: James Street between William and George Streets, November 28, 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Merrickville: 103 East Broadway and County Road 2, November 28, 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Smiths Falls: 53 Victoria Avenue, November 28, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Perth: Herriott Road, November 28, 8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Belleville: Keegan Parkway, November 29, 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• Trenton: level crossing on RCAF Road, November 29, from 10:45 p.m. to 11:15 a.m.