Without a doubt, people in Portage know all about trains. With the main lines in Canada all running through the community, hearing the whistles 24 hours a day or having to wait for a slow-moving one when you are in a hurry is just a way of life. 

Monday, it was the sound of music coming from the CP Holiday Train as it stopped at the BDO Centre for the Community for the 25th year. Although the route changes slightly every year, Portage has been a stop every single year the train has hit the tracks.

Over those years, the train has arrived on all days of the week and at all times of the day, and this year it was a morning stop after taking a day off. The previous stop to Portage was Winnipeg on Saturday night where a large crowd was on hand. 

Once the train came to a stop, the doors once again opened and a 30-minute show from the Anyway Gang took place. That group consists of Dave Monks from Tokyo Police Club, Sam Roberts from Sam Roberts Band, Menno Versteeg from Hollerado, and Chris Murphy from Sloan. Even though the weather was extremely mild for this time of year the band that the crowd for coming out in the "cold" several times.

It is hardly a guarantee, but previous stops by the train have also included a large donation from CP and the company stepped up in a big way again this year. Halfway through the performance, representatives came on stage and presented Mayor Sharilyn Knox and Salvation Army Major Brenda Hammond with a $6000 cheque.  The money will go to the food bank and Christmas Hamper program.

The mayor commented it has been five straight days of special Christmas events for our community.

"We love this. We are very fortunate that they stop here each year. Look at the great turnout. There's Portage la Prairie for you, always showing up. I'm calling it the city of celebration and I hope it continues for the rest of the month."

Major Hammond commented that it was just a great event for the large corporate donation but added many individuals made donations of cash, non-perishable food items, and toys as well. Because the event was in the morning during school hours there weren't as many kids on hand as you may sometimes see but a few still managed to plan a field trip around the event and several daycares showed up as well. All other trains that were scheduled to pass through the community at the time were put on hold and had to wait for the performance to end.

 

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