Crowds stuck around to welcome the Barenaked Ladies and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train to Revelstoke even after the train was delayed nearly two hours. From the Revelstoke Fire Department cooking up hot dogs and Tim Hortons providing warm drinks to the Revelstoke Community Band playing a range of holiday music to keep spirits up, the extended delay couldn’t quite dampen the mood.
“It’s a phenomenal event. You have all different ages out here enjoying the time,” Norma Craft told Revelstoke Mountaineer. A long-time attendee of the Holiday Train, she said Revelstoke’s support of the food bank shows up every year.
“Even the years where it’s been bitter cold,” Craft said. “This year it’s raining and snowing at the same time on us. Everyone still wants to be here and enjoy.”
“Operational constraint presented by the cold conditions,” kept the Holiday Train from making it to Revelstoke for , Terry Cunha, CPKC spokesman told Revelstoke Mountaineer. But weather wasn’t going to keep longtime Barenaked Ladies fans away, even as the delay stretched on.
“I’ve been a fan of Barenaked Ladies since I was 10 years old. I have the best memories of their music, and now our kids are big fans. They can quote songs and they’re just so stoked for today,” Lara Davis said.
It wasn’t just the promise of live music, Parks Canada showcasing the avalanche control equipment and other organizations helping pass the time that kept Davis and her family happily waiting. Big crowds meant a high chance of running into friends and connections from around town.
“You get to see so much of the community. Everyone’s out just to have a good time,” Davis said.
A season of support
The CPKC Holiday Train annually travels through Canada and the United States of America with cars decked out in lights and live performances at each stop. CPKC representatives present a cheque to the local food banks for each stop, providing a welcome boost of support going into the holiday season.
This year CCRS received $10,000 from CPKC, nearly $900 in hot dog donations and more than $1,700 in cash donations and over 500 pounds in food donations.
“It was great to see everyone in good spirits despite the train being late and the rain coming down,” Jenna Thomsen, food and outreach coordinator told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “What a great yearly event for the community!”
The Holiday Train 2026 lines up with CCRS’ Holiday Campaign to support locals in need throughout the winter. From the Angel Tree program, connecting donors with youth and senior holiday wishlists to the society’s photo booth at the Big Eddy Winter Market, bringing in over $1,000 in donations to the Holiday Giving Thermometer, with $61,000 raised towards the food bank’s $200,000 goal, Revelstoke has been showing up.
“However you choose to give, your support truly matters. Thank you for helping keep our community cared for and connected,” CCRS wrote on socials.
What did you think of this story?
Your feedback after we publish a story helps ensure we're always improving our reporting to better serve you
