MAXVILLE, Ontario – After 16 years, the RCMP Musical Ride returned to a jam packed grandstand in Maxville on Saturday, Sept. 8.
“This is the first time (they’ve returned) since 2002,” said Eric Metcalfe, Vice President of the Glengarry Highland Games. “We’ve been wanting to get them for a long time, but they weren’t available, so we booked them in March I believe.”
The musical ride involves 32 scarlet coated Mounties atop 32 black horses, performing intricate figures and drills to choreographed music. The performance lasted 30 minutes and it has been a Canadian tradition since 1867. The event started at 3 p.m. and the guest of honour was retired Mayor Chris McDonell.
Additional to the much anticipated musical ride, the afternoon featured entertainment from the Connie Blaney Juvenile Pipe Band, MacCulloch Dancers and the band Fridge Full of Empties.
Metcalfe predicts that there were over 3,000 people in attendance of the event.
“We didn’t expect this type of crowd,” he said. “We are pretty happy. I’d like to thank everyone for coming out.”
Admission to the spectacle was free, but a small donation was encouraged. Metcalfe said that the event was a gesture of gratitude to the community and all donations will go towards maintenance of the fairgrounds for future events. The event was made possible by the Glengarry Highland Games and The Kenyon Agricultural Society.
“(It is) a thank you to all of the people for supporting the fair and the games this year. It’s a good family event,” said Metcalfe.
