Holiday Train to whistle into Owat.

The Holiday Train will be whistling its way into Owatonna this holiday season in an effort to bring the community together while fighting food insecurity at the same time.

Owatonna will be one of many communities across Canada and the U.S. hosting the Canadian Pacific Kansas City, CPKC, Railroad during its annual tour which begins Nov. 19. The Owatonna stop will take place Dec. 11 at 3:45 p.m. at the railroad crossing between Viracon and Wenger Corporation.

The 30-minute stop will feature professional music performers as well as refreshments. At this point, Allen Stone is the scheduled performer, though that’s subject to change, according to Glenda Smith, director of the Owatonna Convention and Visitors Bureau. Stone is an American singer, songwriter and musician based in Seattle. His musical style spans genres including soul and R&B.

CPKC, which has been offering the holiday celebration for 28 years, rotates with different routes every year, Smith said. She noted the last time the Holiday Train came through Owatonna was 2023.

As the brightly decorated train travel across the country, communities gather to enjoy live music and support local food banks. In Owatonna’s case, food will be collected for Community Pathways of Steele County. Every donation given at the Owatonna stop will stay with Community Pathways.

Smith said she is in the planning stages of “adding a little extra local flavor” to the Holiday Train. In the past, Owatonna has brought in Santa Claus, the Owatonna Carolers and individual singers to perform.

“This is another great event to be together for the hometown holiday season,” said Smith. “The entertainment is great,” she added.

She estimated that as many as 1,000 people have attended the Holiday Train in the past.

Prior to Owatonna, the Holiday Train will stop in Rochester at 1:15 p.m. The train will later stop in Waseca at 5:30 p.m. before closing out the day in Janesville.

More details will be released in the coming weeks.