CP Holiday train brings festive cheer to crowds in Waterloo region
After two years of virtual concerts, the Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train was back on track for multiple stops in Waterloo region.
On Wednesday, the train stopped in Cambridge and Ayr.
“It’s been a couple of years that we have not been able to do all the normal typical Christmas things, so it’s really nice that things are opening back up, and we can feel safe and comfortable,” said one event goer in Ayr.
In Ayr, it was at Inglis Street and Willison Street at around 5:30 p.m, wowing the big crowd that came by to admire the lights.
“I thought they were just going to be lights. I didn’t expect them to be flashing and changing colours and everything,” said one excited kid.
The second of CP’s two brightly decorated festive trains left Montreal on Tuesday Nov. 22. It is travelling through New York, southern Ontario and down through Chicago to Kansas City before returning to Canada with a final show in bound for Weyburn, Sask.
At whistle stop concerts along the way, it is collecting food donations and money for local food banks.
“Brings me back to when I was a kid. When I was a kid, it seemed like everything was easier, and simpler and more jolly. We almost didn’t come because it was almost inconvenient, and we thought this is what makes the memories. When you look back and think about the happy times, it’s because our parents did this for us,” said one man, enjoying the show in Ayr.
The train rolled into the Old Galt Train Station at 4 p.m., with a half-hour concert by Lindsay Ell and JoJo Mason set for 4:15 p.m. to 4:45. With the City of Cambridge will hosting a “Winterfest preshow” with live entertainment and special visits form Santa and friends, beforehand.
More information about the CP Holiday Train’s route is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau to present health-care offer to premiers in long-awaited meeting for new deal
Canada's health care system is not working as well as it should and that has to change, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday as he prepared to meet the premiers to work on a new health-care funding deal.

Canadians now expect to need $1.7M in order to retire: BMO survey
Canadians now believe they need $1.7 million in savings in order to retire, a 20 per cent increase from 2020, according to a new BMO survey. The eye-watering figure is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
Quake deaths pass 5,000 as Turkiye, Syria seek survivors
Search teams and emergency aid from around the world poured into Turkiye and Syria on Tuesday as rescuers working in freezing temperatures dug, sometimes with their bare hands, through the remains of buildings flattened by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. The death toll soared above 5,000 and was still expected to rise.
Why wasn't the suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down over Canada?
Critics say the U.S. and Canada had ample time to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon as it drifted across North America. The alleged surveillance device initially approached North America near Alaska's Aleutian Islands on Jan 28. According to officials, it crossed into Canadian airspace on Jan. 30, travelling above the Northwest Territories, Alberta and Saskatchewan before re-entering the U.S. on Jan 31.
U.K. police officer, exposed as serial rapist, jailed for life
A former London police officer was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with a minimum term of 30 years for raping and sexually assaulting a dozen women over a 17-year period.
Thieves cut huge hole in Ottawa restaurant wall to get at jewelry store next door
An Ottawa restaurateur says he was shocked to find his restaurant broken into and even more surprised to discover a giant hole in the wall that led to the neighbouring jewelry store.
Nova Scotia man finds possible historic Killick anchor on beach
John Benoit of West Jeddore, N.S., says he has been beachcombing for over 50 years, but his most recent discovery -- a Killick anchor -- is by far his most memorable.
Quebec minister 'surprised' asylum seekers given free bus tickets from New York City
Quebec's immigration minister says she was 'surprised' to learn the City of New York is helping to provide free bus tickets to migrants heading north to claim asylum in Canada.
China says will 'safeguard interests' over balloon shootdown
China said Tuesday it will 'resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests' over the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon by the United States, as relations between the two countries deteriorate further. The balloon prompted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a highly-anticipated visit to Beijing this week that had offered slight hopes for an improvement in relations.