Holiday Train stopping in Marquette on Dec. 4

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will once again bring holiday cheer to the area as it stops in Marquette, at the marina parking lot, on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2:45 p.m.

Now in its 18th year, the Holiday Train is adorned with thousands of lights depicting holiday scenes on 14 rail cars, one of which turns into a stage for musical performances.

However, putting on a dazzling light display is just half of the Holiday Train equation, as attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or monetary donation as admission. 

One of the Clayton County Food Shelf’s largest donation campaigns, last year’s stop in Marquette netted $8,132.25 and 4,889.25 pounds of food, said Food Shelf Director Utoni Ruff.

This year, the Holiday Train will stop in several other area communities aside from Marquette on Sunday, including Guttenberg at 12:45 p.m. and Lansing at 4:50 p.m.

Santa will make an appearance and Canadian country singer Kelly Prescott and Canadian rock/blues artist Colin James will perform some classic holiday tunes at the Marquette stop, but Ruff said even more is planned this year. The local Victorian Carolers group will also perform and hot chocolate will be served.

Since stops change year-to-year, Ruff said it’s important for people to attend, so the train continues to stop in Clayton County. 

Some items that are in high demand at the Clayton County Food Shelf this year include protein, like peanut butter or canned tuna, as well as canned fruit. Also needed are paper products and toiletries, like toilet paper, hand soap, laundry soap, shampoo and toothpaste.