If Chatham-Kent residents want the CP Holiday Train to continue making a stop in the area, they can let organizers know that by showing up for the event again this year.
That's according to the executive director for Outreach for Hunger, Brenda LeClair, who will be collecting donations to stock the shelves at the local food bank.
"We've gotta get out and support it and cheer for them when they come, and when they open the doors, give them a big warm welcome," said LeClair. "It's a very short stop, they'll play for half an hour, but we can have an awful lot of fun in that half-hour."
The train stopped in Chatham in 2017 after skipping that stop for several years, but officials announced plans to put on a show in the area again in 2018 after seeing a solid turnout locally. CP Rail donated $5,000 to Outreach for Hunger food bank during the 2017 stop and residents who showed up donated thousands of food items.
LeClair said this year, the event is focused on healthy food donations.
"CP Rail is asking people to bring nutritious donations," said LeClair. "Some of the key items we're looking for would be canned fruits, canned vegetables, nutritious school lunch snacks, juices, canned meat, and peanut butter."
The train is set to arrive in Chatham at 2:30 p.m. Friday, November 30 at the John Bradley Convention Centre parking lot at Keil Drive and Richmond Street.
The Sam Roberts Band and JoJo Mason will be performing between 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. before the train heads to Windsor for an evening performance that starts at 6 p.m.
Parking map for the CP Holiday Train in Chatham. (Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.)
The area around Richmond Street and Keil Drive is expected to have heavy traffic Friday afternoon. Those passing by are asked to find an alternative route.
There will be limited parking available at the Convention Centre but municipal officials said drivers will be able to park at the former Target on Grand Avenue West or at a lot owned by Campbell Toyota on Keil Drive. However, keep in mind that it may take about 15 minutes to walk from the former Target to the event.