By Dryden Observer Staff

North America’s longest-running rolling food bank fundraiser is once again trekking across Canada and the U.S. Midwest and Northeast in its cross-border mission to feed communities.

Canadian folk legend Valdy will headline this year’s tour across Canada, joined by vocalist Tracey Brown of Canada’s most awarded Country group Family Brown.

In its 13th year, two specially decorated CPR freight trains will launch their unique journeys across six Canadian provinces and eight U.S. states.

The CP Holiday Train will make a stop at Dryden’s railyard at the corner of Queen St. and Earl Ave. at 12:15 p.m., Saturday Dec. 3.

The train will roll into Vermillion Bay for a 1:45 p.m. stop at the Bay St. Railway Crossing, south of Hwy 17.

Ignace residents can catch the Holiday Train bright and early at 9:30 a.m. at the CP train Station.

About 150 cities and towns on both sides of the border will be able to join the Holiday Train spirit and magic, with all food and money raised at each stop staying in that community for local distribution.

Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train program, powered by an army of employee volunteers, has raised $5.6 million and generated close to 2.5 million pounds of food donations for local food shelves.

Each Holiday Train has 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of festive lights. Included is a modified boxcar that has been turned into a travelling stage for performers.

Headlining the musical spirit of the season from a specially designed stage on the Canadian Holiday Train is Canadian legend Valdy, while leading the musical message on the U.S. train stage will be Wisconsin’s Willy Porter.

More than 150,000 visitors check out the Holiday Train each year and get the latest updates and the train stop nearest them by going to www.cpr.ca. As well, both Holiday Trains can be followed on Facebook and on Twitter (@CPHolidaytrain).