Enjoy holiday-decorated boxcars and a free concert while raising funds for local food pantries. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

Though it may be difficult getting off the couch after eating a full turkey dinner while arguing over the best use of leftovers, one way to work off the tryptophan is to help keep food pantry shelves full while watching a live concert.

The Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern Holiday Train began in 1999 in towns throughout Canada. In 2001, the Holiday Train added some of its United States railway stops to its roster. Since its inception, the CPKS Holiday Train has raised funds for food pantries across the United States and Canada with a railcar stage, musical lineup, Santa visits and local food pantry collections.

It’s spectacular watching the train, decorated with thousands of Christmas lights, rush along the track, whether you can make it to one of the concerts or not. This year, the train will stop in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota and New York. The train makes hundreds of stops in 12 states and across Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, all while raising money for local food pantries.

Each stop is about half an hour. Crowds watch a live concert and walk along the festively decorated train, all free of charge. CPKS donates to each local pantry at each stop and suggests participants bring a monetary or heart-healthy food donation. In addition to providing the gaily lit-up train and live bands, CPKS donates funds to each stop’s food bank.

This year’s musical lineup for the Adirondack circuit is Tyler Shaw and Brittany Kennell. Shaw is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter who rose to fame after winning the MuchMusic Coca-Cola Cover Contest. His individual brand of rock-inspired pop has led him to open for artists such as Shawn Mendes, Selena Gomez and Kelly Clarkson. Kennell is originally from Quebec, but attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. From there, she moved to Nashville, writing and performing with various legends and making it to the knockout round of The Voice. Her music is modern country inspired by Miranda Lambert and Marin Morris.

Local food banks will be collecting nonperishable food items and donations at each location. All the audience has to do is stand back and enjoy. Each event takes place outside, so dress warmly. Some locations have vendors set up to sell hot refreshments, but it is not something to count on. The focus is on the food pantries and making sure their shelves are stocked for winter. Darn those Canadians, helping people.

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Northern New York and Adirondack stops for the CPKS Holiday Train

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November 25:

5:15 to 5:45 p.m. at Ganser-Smith Memorial Park in Menands

7 to 7:30 p.m. at 300 Park Ave in Mechanicville

November 26:

2:45 to 3:15 p.m. at Amtrak Station in Fort Edwards

5:40 to 6:05 p.m. at the Amtrak Station in Port Henry

7:50 to 8:20 p.m. at 2 Dock Street in Plattsburgh

9:30 to 10 p.m. at Pratt Street in Rouses Point