The CPKC Holiday Train
CPKC Holiday Train Rolls Into Town
Saturday, December 13th for 22nd Anniversary
The CPKC Holiday Train returns to the communities of Cottage Grove, Newport and St. Paul Park for the 22nd Anniversary of the Cottage Grove Area Stop, on the evening of Saturday, December 13th, 2025.
The brightly lit train will arrive with a trainload of fun and entertainment at 5:15 p.m. Performances by American Authors and Pynk Beard will be featured from the train stage, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
All cash and donations of personal care items collected at the “Cottage Grove Stop” go directly to our local Friends in Need Food Shelf; serving the residents of Cottage Grove, Grey Cloud Island, Newport and St. Paul Park.
Other features of the event returning this year include:
near the Park & Ride.
The Holiday Train is truly a gift to our communities. This event makes up 25% of our total donations for the year. Last year our communities raised $206,232.76 for our local Friends in Need Food Shelf along with over 12,000 personal care and non-perishable food items; 501(c)3 # 41-1794212.
In the past 21 years, the Holiday Train event in Cottage Grove has raised over $2 million dollars for our local food shelf. This year, a goal of raising $125,000 was set.
The Holiday Train Committee and City of Cottage Grove are hosting this event in conjunction with many local volunteers, local businesses and community leaders. Cash is the preferred donation but the need is also great for personal care items such as bar soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels or diapers.
If you are unable to attend the event and would still like to donate to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, please send checks payable to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, noting “Holiday Train” in the memo line. Checks can be sent to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.
Event CPKC Holiday Train Stop in Cottage Grove, MN
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 3:30 p.m. event opens. 5:15 p.m. train arrival. 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. performances.
Location: West Point Douglas Road, just south of the 80th St. Bridge / Belden Crossing (across from the Youth Service Bureau).
Saturday, December 13th for 22nd Anniversary
The CPKC Holiday Train returns to the communities of Cottage Grove, Newport and St. Paul Park for the 22nd Anniversary of the Cottage Grove Area Stop, on the evening of Saturday, December 13th, 2025.
The brightly lit train will arrive with a trainload of fun and entertainment at 5:15 p.m. Performances by American Authors and Pynk Beard will be featured from the train stage, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
All cash and donations of personal care items collected at the “Cottage Grove Stop” go directly to our local Friends in Need Food Shelf; serving the residents of Cottage Grove, Grey Cloud Island, Newport and St. Paul Park.
Other features of the event returning this year include:
- Visit with Santa, courtesy of Northern Glow Hearth Services, and enjoy some holiday music before the train arrives.
- Glo-sticks will be given to the first 2,500 children in attendance courtesy of Old National Bank, Merchants Bank, Spartan Promotional Group – Mary Slusser and Jessica Fisher – REMAX Professionals (while supplies last)
- Free hot chocolate and cookies, courtesy of Cub Foods & Hy-Vee (while supplies last)
- Purchase food from our featured Food Trucks:
- DnD Goodies: www.dndgoodies.com
- Deep Roots: https://discoverdeeproots.com/
- Mountain Mikes
- Youniverse Foodie Waffles: www.youniversefoodie.com
- California Dip and Eat: https://www.californiadipandeat.com/
- Browse merchandise for sale including:
- Holiday Train Stuffed Moose ($20)
- Knit stocking caps for children and adults
- CLEARANCE! flannel pajama pants for children and adults, ¾ sleeve jersey shirts, fuzzy socks and holiday train patches! Proceeds benefit Friends in Need Food Shelf.
- Warm up in “The Lodge” Warming Tent, sponsored by RE/MAX Professionals.
near the Park & Ride.
The Holiday Train is truly a gift to our communities. This event makes up 25% of our total donations for the year. Last year our communities raised $206,232.76 for our local Friends in Need Food Shelf along with over 12,000 personal care and non-perishable food items; 501(c)3 # 41-1794212.
In the past 21 years, the Holiday Train event in Cottage Grove has raised over $2 million dollars for our local food shelf. This year, a goal of raising $125,000 was set.
The Holiday Train Committee and City of Cottage Grove are hosting this event in conjunction with many local volunteers, local businesses and community leaders. Cash is the preferred donation but the need is also great for personal care items such as bar soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels or diapers.
If you are unable to attend the event and would still like to donate to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, please send checks payable to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, noting “Holiday Train” in the memo line. Checks can be sent to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.
Event CPKC Holiday Train Stop in Cottage Grove, MN
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 3:30 p.m. event opens. 5:15 p.m. train arrival. 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. performances.
Location: West Point Douglas Road, just south of the 80th St. Bridge / Belden Crossing (across from the Youth Service Bureau).
We Invite You to Get Involved in the 22nd Anniversary of the
CPKC Holiday Train --
Cottage Grove Area
DATE: Saturday, December 13, 2025
TIME: Train Arrives at 5:15, Event Runs 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Come early to enjoy the delicious food and beverages, shop for Holiday Train merchandise and warm up in the warming tent!
Location is at West Point Douglas Road, just south of the 80th St. Bridge / Belden Crossing
(across from the Youth Service Bureau)
Our goal is to raise $125,000 in 2025 for Friends in Need Food Shelf
You’re invited to become a Name Sponsor or
Collect Cash or Personal Care Items at Your Business or Organization
Questions &/OR Participate: Contact the Holiday Train Committee Co-Chairs
Randy Bachman, RFBachman@merchantsbank.com, (651) 438-7385 or
Sonya Fox, Sonya.Fox@professionals.net, (651) 209-3946
Please see the attached Sponsorship Packages and details on “How to Participate”
Sincerely,
Holiday Train Committee 2025
in cooperation with the city of
Supporting the Friends in Need Food Shelf
Cottage Grove and the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
CPKC Holiday Train --
Cottage Grove Area
DATE: Saturday, December 13, 2025
TIME: Train Arrives at 5:15, Event Runs 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Come early to enjoy the delicious food and beverages, shop for Holiday Train merchandise and warm up in the warming tent!
Location is at West Point Douglas Road, just south of the 80th St. Bridge / Belden Crossing
(across from the Youth Service Bureau)
Our goal is to raise $125,000 in 2025 for Friends in Need Food Shelf
You’re invited to become a Name Sponsor or
Collect Cash or Personal Care Items at Your Business or Organization
Questions &/OR Participate: Contact the Holiday Train Committee Co-Chairs
Randy Bachman, RFBachman@merchantsbank.com, (651) 438-7385 or
Sonya Fox, Sonya.Fox@professionals.net, (651) 209-3946
Please see the attached Sponsorship Packages and details on “How to Participate”
Sincerely,
Holiday Train Committee 2025
in cooperation with the city of
Supporting the Friends in Need Food Shelf
Cottage Grove and the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
To view our photos from the 2024 event, visit here. Photos courtesy of Mad Love Photography.
Date and Time
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Saturday, December 13, 2025
3:30 p.m. event opens. 5:15 p.m. train arrival. 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. performances
Location
West Point Douglas Road, just south of the 80th St. Bridge / Belden Crossing (across from the Youth Service Bureau).
Contact Information
Randy Bachman
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