As many as 4000 people were packed at the Holiday Train site in Josephburg on Friday, making their way on the crowded roads. Despite the -20C weather, spirits were high and food donations rolling in. Josephburg is situated in the Industrial Heartland in Alberta. This town of 150 grew by leaps and bounds, as people travelled for as long as an hour, one way, to see the show.
Dinah Canart, coordinator with Strathcona County (pictured right with Johnny Reid), was one of the many supporters instrumental in building excitement around the Holiday Train in Josephburg. The event has been advertised in the area for months, leaving no doubt that the visit by the Holiday Train was greatly anticipated. Several community officials were also in attendance, including Councillor Jacquie Fenske.
Josephburg's agricultural society has been hosting a chicken dinner fundraiser in the spring since the early 1900s - the Holiday Train team was even graced with a visit from the "Josephburg chicken." It isn't often one meets a man dressed in a chicken costume!
The Holiday Train entertainers were blown away by the crowd, and reciprocated by putting on a "gold standard" show for attendees. One observation that was especially evident in the cold weather was how different "mitten clapping" is from normal clapping; instead of "clap, clap" one hears more of a soft "thub thub." A sound very unique to the Holiday Train.
Danelle W & Peta S
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