By Edie Schmierbach, Mankato Free Press

MANKATO — Watch for scenes of the season illuminating the night sky when the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train returns to the area this week carrying a message — not everyone is feasting this time of year.

The brightly-decorated train of lights also carries musicians who will perform during stops at Waseca, Springfield, New Ulm and Janesville.

A concert begins 7:45 p.m. Friday from the rails along 308 S. State and Highway 13 in Waseca. After a concert swing to Tracy Saturday afternoon, the train returns to the area Sunday. The Sunday concerts begin 3:15 p.m. at the Springfield Community Center parking lot, 5:15 p.m. at 224 Third Street North in New Ulm (between German Park and the railway tracks); and at 9:15 p.m. at Janesville’s Veterans Memorial Park.

There are no admission fees for the concerts, however, CP is accepting donations from audiences along the route. The non-perishable food items and cash collected will be distributed to community food banks. Organizers advise concert-goers to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start times.

Attendees will be treated to a half-hour concert of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs. Musicians on this year’s stage include Jim Cuddy, Matt Dusk, Doc Walker, Melanie Doane, Tracey Brown, Willy Porter and The Claytones.

The Holiday Train is not scheduled to stop in Mankato, but lucky viewers may catch a glimpse as its cars pass through town at an unannounced time.

A concert in Austin Monday evening is the train’s final Minnesota event.

For the past 15 years, CP rail cars have been transformed into Holiday Trains during efforts that take about three months to complete. A festive wreath dons the front of an engine pulling 14 decorated rail cars. The train stretches more than 1,000 feet, including its modified boxcar that serves as a traveling stage for performers. Each car is decorated with thousands of LED lights and holiday designs.

The train travels across Canada and the United States during the holiday season in a campaign against hunger. Since 1999, Holiday Trains have covered approximately 100,000 miles, and entertained hundreds of thousands of supporters. Since the Holiday Train program first launched in 1999, it has distributed three million pounds of food and raised $7.4 million.

Rides on the Holiday Train are not available, since its limited seating is reserved for CP employees. However, a photo contest is under way for chances to ride aboard the train during its 2014 tour. For contest rules, go to www.cpr.ca.

There will be four top prizes, each consisting of four tickets aboard the train and a $500 donation to a food bank of the winner’s choice.