CHRIS UHLIG
The much-loved annual tradition since 1999 of watching the brightly lit CPKC Holiday Train rolling into the Smiths Falls train station around 6:30 p.m. attracted thousands of people once again this year, packing the yard and Victoria Avenue to the brim.
For the first time the train drove under the herald of the newly formed CPKC, a merger of the Canadian Pacific and the Kansas City Southern that created a transnational railroad connecting Canada, the US, and Mexico.
Music by Wizard of Sound, baked goods by Jabreezys Doughnuts, hot chocolate, refreshments by 4 Degrees Brewing, and information booths by Lepine Apartments as well as Smiths Falls 2025 Old Home Week sweetened the waiting time until arrival.
The Smiths Falls Fire Department showed up in full force demonstrating their equipment and collecting donations for the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank.
Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish then rocked the crowd from the platform stage on the train.
After the stop here in Smiths Falls the train proceeded for another performance in Perth, but returned later to Smiths Falls, offering night owls an unobstructed view of all the decorations.
Earlier in the day, the train made a stop in Merrickville.
