CP Holiday Train rolls into Saskatoon

Thousands of onlookers were put into the festive spirit Wednesday night as the CP Holiday Train made its annual stop in Saskatoon.

Canadian country musician Madeline Merlo entertained the crowds that packed the underpass at Seventh Avenue North and Warburton Street, and Canadian pop artist Scott Helman wrapped things up.

The temperature was -14 C with the wind as the train rolled through, but that didn’t dampen any holiday spirits.

Here’s @madelinemerlo performing her hit “Motel Flamingo” during tonight’s Holiday Train stop: #yxe pic.twitter.com/Nbw2pXbIU5

— brady lang (@BradyLangSK) December 5, 2019

The Holiday Train makes stops all across Canada, including in many small towns along the way.

The CP Holiday Train rolled through Saskatoon on Dec. 4, 2019. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)

Dickson Tomyn first saw the train in Foam Lake years ago. He said it still holds its charm, even in the big city.

“It’s pretty festive,” Tomyn said. “I thought it was a good thing. (When you’re in a small town), everybody comes out for it. I see it looks like the same thing happening here in Saskatoon. It’s good to see people still coming out to see it.”

The train made stops in Bredenbury, Yorkton, Foam Lake and Wynyard earlier Wednesday.

The event brought people out in droves, including Judy Deroose, who brought her grandchildren. She braved the cold and said she was ready to share the experience with her family.

“I’m very excited for the holiday train …,” she said. “The hot chocolate keeps me warm (along with) the crowds.”

In the past 20 years, the Holiday Train raised just under $16 million and 4.5 million pounds of food for food banks across North America.

The Holiday Train rolls through more than 1,100 communities. It’s to make its next stop in Wilkie on Thursday at 1:15 p.m.