Twin Cities Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts by tag - Sheryl Crowhttps://www.minnesotaconnected.com/blog/Copyright MinnesotaConnected.com2022-10-28T07:17:08-07:00tag:minnesotaconnected.com,2012-09-20:15477'Holiday Train' Impresses in the Frigid Cold -- But Lower Attendance Than Expected<a href="http://minnesotaconnected.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Screen-Shot-2013-12-17-at-4.44.22-PM.png"><img class=" wp-image-126029 aligncenter" alt="Canadian Pacific - Holiday Train - Cottage Grove - Sheryl Crow" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/693/image/minnesotaconnected/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Screen-Shot-2013-12-17-at-4.44.22-PM.png" width="570" height="185" /></a>
This past weekend played host to the 2013 Holiday Train, an event that featured musical superstar Sheryl Crow. Attending with my family and Brandon Hedges and his family, it was quite an experience to take in on the brutally cold evening. And to be honest, it was so cold, especially for the kids, we left before Sheryl Crow took to the stage for her free concert. But that didn't stop the 2013 Holiday train from raising roughly $136,000 (a Holiday Train record) for local food shelves and <a href="http://www.twincities.com/washingtoncounty/ci_24740664/holiday-train-sheryl-crow-show-final-tally-record" target="_blank">total</a><a href="http://www.twincities.com/washingtoncounty/ci_24740664/holiday-train-sheryl-crow-show-final-tally-record" target="_blank">ing</a> about 13,000 pounds in food donations and toiletries.
Despite our early exit, a lot impressed us about this event. The parking situation was very smooth. The parking lots were off site to the actual event, with heated buses waiting to shuttle people to the huge Holiday Train extravaganza. One of the perks that blew us away was the food collection. We were just opening the trunk, ready to unload the food in the parking lot, and a golf cart of volunteers zipped over and collected the food from us.
Considering that over 20,000 people were expected to attend, and "only" 15,000 braved the frigid temperatures, it seemed like there was one volunteer per person at the Holiday Train. There was plenty to do for families, from food to Santa, but the cold really sucked some of the life out of the festivities.
With the event becoming so large compared to years past, it seemed like the actual train was an afterthought with all that was going on. In the past, the holiday themed train was the showcase. This year, all the hoopla was surrounding the concert stage, with the train tucked away a bit.
But before we left the event all together, we stopped along Highway 61 to watch the train go by -- notice the very excited kids cheering in the background.
Photo and video via: Matt Barker
2013-12-17T23:00:00-07:002022-10-28T07:16:46-07:00Matt Barkertag:minnesotaconnected.com,2012-09-20:15530Sheryl Crow Coming to Cottage Grove for 'Holiday Train' Concert<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/693/image/minnesotaconnected/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-12-at-11.57.58-AM.png"><img class="wp-image-103446 aligncenter" alt="Sheryl Crow - Holiday Train - Cottage Grove - 2013" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/693/image/minnesotaconnected/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-12-at-11.57.58-AM.png" width="492" height="292" /></a>
The singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow is loved by millions around the world -- usually to get a chance to see this country music superstar in concert, one would have to shell out a decent amount of cash for a ticket. On December 14th however, Crow will be headlining a free show in Cottage Grove as the headlining act for Canadian Pacific's Holiday Train concert, a celebration for the 15 years of the holiday food shelf fundraiser.
Cottage Grove officials think the event could be attended by some 30,000 people, which could potentially be the biggest event in the city's history. With Crow as the headlining act of a concert series and the festive-lit procession of train cars, it's not hard to imagine why this event will be such a big deal.
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/693/image/minnesotaconnected/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-12-at-11.27.29-AM.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-103447 aligncenter" alt="Holiday Train - Canadian Pacific - 2013 - Cottage Grove " src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/693/image/minnesotaconnected/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-12-at-11.27.29-AM.png" width="554" height="342" /></a>
"Since 1999, our Holiday Train has raised $7.4 million and more than 3 million pounds of food for local charities," <a href="http://www.swcbulletin.com/content/singer-sheryl-crow-headline-holiday-train-concert-cottage-grove" target="_blank">said</a> E. Hunter Harrison, Canadian Pacific's CEO. "I thank these internationally-renowned artists for joining us in shining a bright spotlight on this important issue."
Another unique fact about this event is that Cottage Grove is the only place a Holiday Train concert is stopping in America -- other hosts are the Canadian cities of Calgary and Hamilton.
Because of the scale of the event, a little extra cost will be involved, like more police on hand and transportation services. The Mayor of Cottage Grove, Myron Bailey, said Canadian Pacific will be taking care of the extra costs. And since this event is supposed to be bigger than usual, the setting be the Canadian Pacific’s rail yard at 9250 Ideal Ave.
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/693/image/minnesotaconnected/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-12-at-11.56.33-AM.png"><img class="wp-image-103448 aligncenter" alt="Canadian Pacific - Holiday Train - Cottage Grove - 2013" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/693/image/minnesotaconnected/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-12-at-11.56.33-AM.png" width="526" height="320" /></a>
The event will feature not only the concert and decorated train, but also a "North Pole Station" with family-friendly activities like ice sculptures, visits with Santa, and craft making.
Keep in mind the event is also looking for volunteers. If you want to know more information about helping out, email <a href="mailto:myronbailey@aol.com">myronbailey@aol.com</a>. And since the event is free, guests are asked to donate to the cause or bring a non-perishable food item.
For all those looking to check out an amazing entertainer in Crow, see all the festivities of the Holiday Train event, and donate money to a great cause, December 14th is your day. How many people can say they saw Sheryl Crow at an outdoor concert, in the snow, in December? Very few I'd expect.
The event kicks off at 4:00 pm, with the concert beginning at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Canadian Pacific <a href="http://www.cpr.ca/en/in-your-community/holiday-train/Pages/Cottage-Grove.aspx" target="_blank">website</a>.
Photos via: Canadian Pacific and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/swctc" target="_blank">SWCTC</a>
<a href="http://bit.ly/1b8wz7a" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone wp-image-4297" alt="FOLLOW MATTHEW DEERY" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/693/image/minnesotaconnected/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/FOLLOWMATTHEW1.jpg" width="570" height="163" /></a>2013-11-11T23:00:00-07:002022-10-28T07:17:08-07:00Matthew Deery