Holiday events focus on reaching out

Several holiday events, including the annual arrival of the Holiday Train, are scheduled this weekend in the metro area.

• The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will visit Cottage Grove and several other metro cities on Saturday. Thousands of colored lights illuminate the train, intended to raise money for local food banks. Money raised from the Cottage Grove stop will benefit Friends in Need Food Shelf in St. Paul Park, which serves several area cities.

Since 2003, the train stop has raised about $166,000 and collected 58,000 pounds of food for Friends in Need, said Brian Voelker, one of the organizers.

The train will arrive in Cottage Grove at 5:30 p.m. The train also stops in Hastings, St. Paul and Minneapolis. Schedules are available at tinyurl.com/ykctxy3.

• Also on Saturday, veterans will participate in the Wreaths Across America project to lay ceremonial wreaths at nine locations including the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls and Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

The ceremony at Little Falls, at 11 a.m., will include ceremonial wreaths that represent all branches of military service, the Merchant Mariners, prisoners of war and veterans missing in action.

"It's a simple and meaningful way, during the holiday season, to honor those who rest here," said cemetery director David Swantek.

• On Sunday, the International Peace Light flame will be available for distribution from noon to 3 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 490 N. 4th St., in Bayport.

Boy Scout Troop 113 arranged for the flame's eventual arrival in Minnesota from its beginning in Bethlehem, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus in the Middle East. Scouts became involved in the Peace Light program after attending the International Scout Jamboree in Iceland last year.

Anyone wanting to share the flame should bring a small candle lantern or other vessel to the church, said organizer Roger Knuteson.

Details are available at www.PeaceLight.org.