The CP Rail, now the CPKC Holiday Train has been making annual visits to the Magic City for 25 years. On Saturday Downtown Minot was packed as families gathered to greet and view the train as it made a stop at the north end of Main Street.
The weather was absolutely perfect with temperatures hovering around 35 degrees, albeit there was a bit of a wind, but for December 16th you could not have asked for a nicer evening for the 30 minutes of entertainment that the Holiday Train provided.
The first time the CP Rail (before the merger with Kansas City Southern) train appeared in Minot the weather was so cooperative. That night it was cold…below zero…and the wind was blowing from the northwest. It was so cold that our video cameras had to be kept inside automobiles in order for them to record the first ever CP Rail Holiday Train visit to Minot.
When the door to the box car that is the stage area opened, steam escaped, and entertainers could see their breath as they began to sing. I remember thinking to myself that this was probably not going to be an annual event, but I was certainly wrong. Even that night, as the wind chill was reported around 40 degrees below zero, folks filled main street and gave the CP Holiday Train a very warm welcome.
Well back to Saturday evening. I am not sure how you accurately gauge the size of the crowd that welcomed the CPKC Holiday Train, but every parking lot and ramp in downtown Minot was filled with vehicles. There were reports of many folks parking at the Minot Municipal Auditorium and walk the almost 8 blocks to the train staging area. We were about a block from the stage, and right beside us was a family from Minot AFB. The dad obliged his young son by putting him on his shoulders giving him an unobstructed view of the stage. The lights of the Holiday Train were certainly entertaining, as was the free show provided for the thousands in the audience.
My curiosity about the Holiday Train took be to a well written and documented site that showed the path of not one, but two Holiday Trains. One that covered the Canadian routes, and a second that made its’ way through the United States. In the 25 years, the Holiday Train has contributed over 22 million dollars, and that does not include the additional collection during the events in the various communities, to local food pantries.
So, our thanks to CPKC rail for the Holiday Train, and for their 25 years of giving communities like Minot and Kenmare a special moment in a busy holiday season.
Best Kept Secrets
Sometimes you wonder about how effective the Northern Sentry is in communicating those “best kept secret” locations or events. This past week I happened to run into someone who said that her trip to the Peace Garden was beyond belief. The new conservatory is amazing, and the house they stayed in was right on a cross country ski trail. Best kept secret for this week once again goes to the Peace Garden. For more information: peacegarden.com.
Today’s Chuckle
Now that we all have digital clocks, we’ll never be able to turn back the hands of time.
