Despite a long wait for the train to arrive, sophomore Holden Christopher said his little brother’s reaction to the Holiday Train and it’s lights made it all worthwhile.

“The best part was when the train showed up, and I got to see my little brothers reactions to it,” Christopher said.

Mayor Jake Spano said the Holiday Train is ran by the Canadian Pacific Railway and perform around the metro area.

“They do stops around the Twin Cities,” Spano said. “At each one of (the) stops they pick a local charity to raise money and food donations for and just like last year, this year’s recipient will be STEP.”

Christopher said he enjoyed his first time visiting the Holiday Train.

“This was my first time attending,” Christopher said. “I really enjoyed it and the music. it was a good time that I got to spend with my brothers.”

According to their website, STEP is the St. Louis Park community food shelf and social service agency.

Spano said the events charitable success last year gives high hopes for results this year.

“Last year STEP received $24,000 in cash donations from the visit. 7,000 of that came from Canadian Pacific themselves…and then they received 5,800 pounds of food,” Spano said. “At the time,  that $24,000 and that 5,800 pounds of food was enough to keep the food shelf stocked with food for three months, so it’s a big deal. We’re really lucky to have Canadian Pacific do this.”

Junior Maddy Mcintosh said the train did a great job of focusing the event on charity efforts.

“I think it’s awesome that the Holiday Train raises money for STEP and it was perfect that the train stopped right in front of STEP,” McIntosh said. “ One of the singers in the band acknowledged that the whole point of the train was to raise money for STEP and he thanked everyone for supporting.”

According to Tim Mahoney, a local artist who performed at the event the holiday train is about supporting the community.

“I’ve had a house in St. Louis Park for twenty years,” Mahoney said. “I think St. Louis Park is a very tight-knit community that I’ve been happy to be a part of … and (the train is) something where it’s just really festive, and I just feel good doing it.”