An annual early holiday event is coming to southeast Iowa just before Thanksgiving. The iconic CPKC Holiday Train will stop in Ottumwa on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. at 1300 Wildwood Drive across from Kohl’s, hosted by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).
The free live performance hosted aboard the Holiday Train features major musical guests Smash Mouth and JJ Wilde. Cookies and cocoa have also been donated by local businesses, and Santa Claus will make an appearance for kids of all ages. Then CPKC will make a donation to the Food Bank of Iowa’s Ottumwa Distribution Center. Since its launch in 1999 the Holiday Train program has raised more than $26 million and collected 5.4 million pounds of food across North America.
Most importantly, you can make a difference in the lives of residents of Ottumwa and Wapello County by bringing nonperishable food and monetary donations for the Food Bank of Iowa to use right here in our community.
“We’re thrilled that the anonymous donor who announced a matching gift last year has stepped up again to support donations as part of the CPKC Holiday Train stop in Ottumwa on Nov. 26. Thanks to this generous donor, every donation will be matched up to $5,000,” said Sandra McReynolds, Branch Manager of the Ottumwa Distribution Center.
According to Feeding America’s latest Map the Meal Gap study, 15.2% of Wapello County residents, or 5,340 people, face food insecurity. This is the second-highest level of food insecurity in the state. Donations at the Holiday Train event will stay in our community and benefit those in need in Wapello County.
