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Big names on board of this year’s Holiday Train

People of Ponoka will have a chance to give and be entertained when the holiday train makes its stop in the town on Dec. 11.

By Kim Hutchison

Staff Reporter:

People of Ponoka will have a chance to give and be entertained when the holiday train makes its stop in the town on Dec. 11.

On board of the Canadian Holiday Train will be Country Music Association Male artist of the year, Johnny Reid and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member, Tracy Brown who will give a 30-minute live concert at every stop for free.

Mark your calendars for Dec. 11. The train will be coming to 50th St. and 47th Ave. in Ponoka from 3:45-4:30 p.m. before heading to the main CP crossing in Hobbema at the intersection of Highway 611 and Highway 2A from 5-5:45 p.m.

All that is asked is that onlookers bring non-perishable food items for the Ponoka Food Bank.

The Holiday Train began in 1999 when it was decorated with a few lights and visited a few communities. This year, one of two trains will visit six provinces while the other heads to seven states to collect food and money for local food banks while raising awareness for the fight against hunger.

Each train, which is roughly 1,000 feet in length with 14 decorated rail cars, includes a modified boxcar that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers and this years must see entertainment is sure to please the crowd.

To date, $3 million and 1.8 million pounds of food have been raised. In 2007 more than $600,000 and 316,000 pounds of food was raised by concerned Canadians and Americans and this year they hope results are bigger and better, so bring some food and enjoy the show.