The annual Canadian Pacific Railway’s Holiday Train might have been a little late when it rolled into Revelstoke Monday night but the large crowd waiting for it was nonetheless very enthusiastic.
Community Connections Food Bank Coordinator Patti Larson was deeply appreciative of the $4,000 cheque she was given by CPR representative Breanne Feigel and encouraged people to continue their support for the Food Bank as well as the Christmas Hamper Program. And she introduced to the crowd three individuals whose efforts to assist the Food Bank resulted in the gathering of more than 2,500 lbs of food.
Krista Carnegie, her son Raine and Ariel Christman organized a remarkable food drive through the schools and churches this autumn. At Monday’s event they also presented Larson with a cheque for $100.
After the cheque presentations, Marnie Digiandomenico of Parks Canada and firefighter Randy Driediger presented Feigel with several strands of the colourful origami cranes folded by people across the community to commemorate the 1910 avalanche in Rogers Pass as well as an engraved section of rail as a memento of the corporation’s participation with Parks Canada and community groups in staging this year’s remarkable public commemorations.
All in all, this was an excellent event. You can see photos of the Holiday Train event below:
A pretty large crowd of several hundred people gathered at the CPR yards on Monday evening to greet the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train. David F. Rooney photoThe waiting crowd was entertained by an excellent performance from the Community Band, led by John Baker, here backlit by the flames from a welcome bonfire. David F. Rooney photoIt's a good thing the band was there because the Holiday Train, which had been scheduled to arrive at 7:45 pm was over 30 minutes late. David F. Rooney photoThe crowd was also fed by the Fire Department, whose members barbecued hot dogs and offered up hot chocolate to waiting Revelstokians. David F. Rooney photoThe train, when it arrived was brightly lit. David F. Rooney photoOnce past the Mackenzie and Victoria Road intersection, it back up towards the eager crowd. David F. Rooney photoThere's nothing like a little mystery! What would the crowd see when the platform was fully lowered? David F. Rooney photoWreathed in smoke, Santa Claus emerged to greet the crowd. David F. Rooney photoCanadian Pacific's Breanne Feigel (left) presented Community Connections Food Bank Coordinator Patti Larson with an over-sized cheque for $4,000. David F. Rooney photoPatti Larson introduced three people who organized a remarkable contribution to the Food Bank this autumn. Krista Carnegie, Ariel Christman and Raine Carnegie organized a food drive that gathered 2,500 lbs of food. Raine also presented Patti with a cheque for $100. David F. Rooney photoAfter the cheque presentations, Marnie Digiandomenico of Parks Canada presented CP officials with origami cranes created to commemorate the men who died in the 1910 Avalanche in Rogers Pass, held here by firefighter Randy Driediger, as well as a piece of rail cut from the abandoned rails in the pass and engraved as a memento of the past year's commemorations supported, in part, by Parks Canada and CP Rail. David F. Rooney photoAnd finally, this year's Holiday Train musical act, The Odds, got the crowd rocking. David F. Rooney photo
