For the first time in three years, one of the most spectacular Christmas attractions is set to return to Iowa this holiday when the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train returns.

We get it, it's not even Halloween yet, but it's never too early to start thinking about the season of joy because we ALL need some of that this year. According to KWQC,

the train will raise money, food, and awareness for local food banks in communities along the Canadian Pacific network, according to a media release. During the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the Holiday Train held virtual concerts in place of in-person stops.

Those stops in Iowa include:

December 3

  • Davenport:  6-6:30 p.m. at the corner of Western Avenue & West River Drive
  • Muscatine:  7:45-8:15 p.m. at the West end of River Side Park at Chestnut Street & Harbor Drive

December 4

  • Ottumwa: 10-10:30 a.m., CP Station 1300 Wildwood Drive across I34 from Kohl’s
  • Chillicothe: 3-3:30 p.m., CP tracks adjacent to Lowes parking lot, U.S. business 36 & Harvester Road

December 6

  • Clinton: 4:30-5 p.m. at the East end of Main Avenue, near the sawmill museum
  • Bellevue: 7-7:30 p.m. at Horizon Lanes parking lot, corner of Jefferson Avenue & Elizabeth Street
  • Dubuque: 8:45-9:15 p.m. at Hawthorne Street railway crossing, corner of Hawthorne Street & Rohmberg Avenue

December 7

  • Guttenberg: 1-1:30 p.m. East side of Schiller Street railway crossing
  • Marquette:  3-3:30 p.m. Marina parking lot, north of Casino Queen Marquette at Water Street & Hwy 76
  • Lansing:  5-5:30 p.m. Ball field on South Front Street between North 2nd and Dodge Street
  • New Albin:  6:30-7 p.m. Parking lot adjacent to CP tracks on Railroad Street between Ross Avenue & Oak Street
  • La Crescent: 8:30-9 p.m., The Commadore Food & Spirit Parking Lot

To describe the experience for those not familiar, here is what Canadian Pacific's CEO and President, Keith Creel had to say:

the Holiday Train is all about families and communities coming together to celebrate the season and help those in need. We are excited to be back out on the rails and in our communities, taking these two beautiful trains across our network and sharing the joy that comes with gathering in the spirit of giving

These magical shows are free to attend, but attendees are encouraged to bring nominal cash or canned goods for donation. Donation stations will be set up around each location and your donations will stay local through food banks in those areas.

This attraction and fundraiser have reportedly collected $21 million and 5 million pounds of food since its launch in 1999.

Coldest Morning in Cedar Rapids History

On January 31, 2019, the mercury in Cedar Rapids hit -30. That's the actual temperature that morning, which set the new record for the coldest temperature in Cedar Rapids history, with records dating back to 1893. The previous all-time record low temperatures for the city was -29 on January 15, 2009.

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