The 19th annual CP Holiday Train, collecting donations for food banks across the country, marks Canada’s 150th anniversary by bringing along four musical performances.
Colin James, Emma-Lee, Jonathan Roy and Alan Doyle will stop in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on Saturday, Dec. 16.
“Looking forward to being on the historic Holiday train again playing shows across this beautiful country,” said James, an iconic Canadian blues musician.
Emma-Lee is a Toronto-born singer and songwriter who splashed onto the Canadian music scene with her debut album “Never Just A Dream” in 2008.
Roy, son of Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy, is a pop music performer who received a gold record for his hit single “Daniella Denmark.”
Doyle is best known as the lead vocal of the Canadian band Great Big Sea. He recently released a new country album, A Week at the Warehouse, with “beautiful band.”
The train stops in Maple Ridge at 7:45 p.m., then moves to Pitt Meadows for 8:45 p.m.
In 2014, the train added Pitt Meadows as a stop. The Holiday Train donates $7,000 to Friends in Need for both local stops. Other donations are collected at the stops in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
In total, Holiday Train has helped collect more than $18,000 in donations each year since 2014 for the local food bank.
“In 2016, we collected almost 3,000 pounds of food in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows,” said Mary Robson, executive director of the food bank.
“The Holiday Train program is all about local food banks and food shelves and the critical role they play in our communities,” said Keith Creel, CP president and chief executive officer.
“People come for the beautifully-lit train and stay for the incredible show – all in the name of community.”