CPKC Holiday Train will return to the southeast in December

ESTEVAN - The southeast region is going to get another annual dose of Christmas spirit, thanks to a visit from the CPKC Holiday Train on Dec. 18.

People will once again be treated to a visit by the mid-west U.S. version of the train. It will cross into Canada from the U.S. at North Portal on Dec. 18 at noon. Then it will continue to Estevan for a performance that is slated to start at 3:15 p.m. at the CPKC station between Sixth and Seventh Streets in central Estevan.

The Holiday Train has a series of brightly-decorated rail cars. People who attend are asked to bring a donation for the Estevan Salvation Army's Food Bank.

Seaforth and Alana Springsteen will be the entertainment. Seaforth is an Australian country-pop act originally comprised of childhood friends Tom Jordan and Mitch Thompson. According to the bio on their website, the tandem was named after their hometown of Seaforth in Sydney.

"The duo became known for their smooth harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, and catchy melodies that blend country and pop influences. Their breakout single, Love That, introduced their signature feel-good sound, quickly earning them a devoted fanbase in both Australia and Nashville."

In 2024, Jordan departed to pursue solo ventures. Thompson has continued to carry the Seaforth name.

Springsteen gained acclaim with her debut album Twenty Something a few years ago and has a sophomore album in the works. Also delivering crossover collaborations with Tiësto and William Black, she's surpassed 221 million career streams globally.

She was recently featured on National Public Radio's Tiny Desk series, is among the roster for the 2024 CMT Listen Up, and is viewed as a rising star in the country music industry.

The 2024 CPKC Holiday Train will tour Canada and the U.S. from Nov. 21-Dec. 20, raising money, food and awareness to support food banks across its network. Professional musicians play free concerts from the brightly decorated train's stage, which, in Estevan, typically faces Seventh Street.

CPKC donates to the local food bank at each stop and encourages all attendees to make a monetary or heart-healthy food donation.

Since its inaugural journey in 1999, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised more than $24.3 million and collected approximately 5.3 million pounds of food for community food banks in Canada and the U.S.