The CP Holiday Train made its stop in Okotoks Sunday.

At noon the train rolled into town, along with Great Big Sea's Alan Doyle and the Big Beautiful Band who played a half hour show for spectators.

Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson says he's ecstatic the train stopped in Okotoks this year.

"We've certainly wanted this for a number of years, we've got thousands of people out there singing with Alan Doyle and the Big Beautiful Band," he says. "It's phenomenal and it's all for a great cause, raising money and food for the Okotoks and District Food Bank to make sure everybody has a great Christmas."

The train stop and day full of events was a food drive and fundraiser for the Okotoks Food Bank, Robertson shares how important it is to support them.

"We can't emphasize enough that there are those less fortunate, perhaps they've fallen on hard times and we want to make sure everybody has a great Christmas and enough food to eat 

throughout the year."

Attendees were encouraged to bring a non-perishable or monetary donation for the Okotoks Food Bank, who was also presented a cheque for $5,000 from CP, along with $1,000 from ATCO.

CP Spokesperson Kevin Hrysak shares over 19 years CP has raised $13 million dollars and 4 million pounds of food for food banks across Canada and the U.S.

He says Sunday was a perfect day to celebrate the holidays with Okotoks for the first time.

"It's our first time here in Okotoks, so we're glad we could stop, and it's unheard of to have plus 16 weather on a day in December. It's a great turnout, over 3000 people are here and we're very excited to see them out supporting the community."

The train's departure was followed by a day of events in the community, including music from Haggis, a free Skate with Santa, and a live Christmas Picnic at the Piano with Natasha Sayer.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com