Hosted on one of the coldest days of the year, the 2024 Holiday Train traveled all night and stopped here in Park at Step on Dec. 12. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is an annual event that passes through Park. The Holiday Train partners with St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) which helps combat food insecurity. The train cart on the Holiday Train was decorated with lights and decorations.
Maryanne Abeid, the operating manager at STEP, said the Holiday Train is a recurring event because the city votes for it and the community supports it.
“The city petitioned for it, they submitted a request,” Abeid said “And the nice thing is they keep coming back because it was such a success that first year, they keep coming back to Park, as the community in Park keeps showing up and supporting the holiday and STEP. They are impressed with the turnout they see here in St. Louis Park.”
Junior Owen Anklam said it was a fun event, even though it wasn’t the warmest outside, due to the corn dogs and music playing.
“I thought it was pretty cool and that it was cold, but I liked it when they opened up in the middle of the train art and there was a band performing,” Anklam said. “The best part of the Holiday Train had to be the excellent corn dog.”
Senior Ari Rose said the event is great for everyone no matter the age. He said it’s a fun experience for families and the community to come together.
“I would say it’s a great event. That is, you know, it’s for all ages and it’s an enjoyable experience,” Rose said. “Just for families and community, to come and get together and see something fun happen.”
According to Abeid, many families struggle during the holidays with the pressure to buy extra food. She said the Holiday Train partners with STEP to help donate food. He said the Holiday Train also partners with other fundraisers and food shelves throughout Minnesota.
“They support a few other food banks in the community, specifically Prism in Golden Valley, which I know of. It plays a huge impact, we raise food this time of year and it’s essential to have more food donations,” Abeid said. “It’s a good fundraiser this time again of the year, as it’s a costly time of year for a lot of families that we serve, extra family in town. This event comes at a perfect time for us.”
Anklam said he had a great time getting food and watching the band. For his first year, he enjoyed the Holiday Train and plans on getting another corn dog when he returns and watching the band.
“This is my first year, it was a great experience, I’m kind of mad I didn’t go before. So probably next year I’ll get another corn dog, (and) also watch the band, which was my favorite part,” Anklam said.
Rose said the best thing for him was seeing the community join together to partake in this event.
“Seeing the whole community come together for this type of event is just something special. I was surprised. I was blown away by the amount of people there,” Rose said.
