CP Holiday Train returning to Gleichen, vendors needed

The CP Holiday Train will be stopping in Gleichen again for the third time!

The train visited the community in 2018 and 2019, but didn't return for 2020 and 2021 due to covid. With the train returning again, the Gleichen and District Community Association is preparing to put on a Christmas Market to celebrate the occasion!

Secretary for Gleichen and District Community Association Margaret Moore says they're still looking for more vendors, but with half the spots taken you should call fast if you're interested. With a table costing only $25, you could be getting a great, inexpensive opportunity to show your business off to the community!

"The first year we had over 2000 people here in our little small community. And the next year maybe 1600 people, but we're hoping for a good turn out this year and really looking forward to it. It's always very exciting and people are in very good spirits and it's very much a family event," she said.

Moore added they get visitors from all over Wheatland County and Calgary, as it's a great event to have some festive fun and see the train! 

On top of the market, the event will also have live music, as one of the train cars gets converted into a stage.

Horse rides will also be a part of the festivities to drive people around the community. Apart from buying a table to be a vendor, this event is completely free!

The Holiday Train event will also be shared with Siksika Nation, which Moore is very excited for.

"This is such a a wonderful opportunity, especially because we share it with Siksika because they are our neighbors. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to share culturally in some ways and also to share friendship. The CP holiday train is such a big deal, for it to stop in a small village like ours beside a large nation like Siksika, it's very special."

The train will be in Gleichen on December 7, and the festivities will go from 5:00-9:30 PM. As for the train itself, it's scheduled to arrive at 8:35 PM. The events will be in the community centre at 3rd Avenue and Crowfoot Street, which is fortunately right by where the train will stop.

If you're interested in being a vendor you can contact Margaret Moore at 403-734-0031 or margmoore49@gmail.com, or contact Mike Junor at 403-400-5020 or mjunor@shaw.ca.

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