RCMP giving high fives to Canadians who helped raise $755,169 for charities during the Musical Ride Canada 150 tour. (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
The RCMP Musical Ride has wrapped up its special cross-country tour celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary. This year’s tour raised $755,169 for local charities and non-profit organizations.
The Musical Ride provides the public with an opportunity to experience the heritage and traditions of the RCMP. Performances also help raise funds for local charities and initiatives across Canada.
This year’s Musical Ride tour included 48 shows in every Canadian province and the Yukon. While this represents fewer than a typical year, the coast-to-coast tour saw the Musical Ride travelling much greater distances. The Musical Ride usually concentrates performances in two provinces or regions during the tour season which runs from May to October.
Some of the communities that hosted the RCMP Musical Ride this year chose not to hold a fund raising event and instead hosted performances which were free to the public to celebrate the anniversary of Canada’s confederation. Communities also collected items for local food banks.
Each community host decides how their funds will be used. In the past, funding has supported local children’s activities, therapeutic riding programs, drug prevention programs for youth, community infrastructure or services projects.
In 2018, the Musical Ride tour will visit Northern Ontario and British Columbia.
Quick Facts
- The first recorded public display of the Musical Ride was in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1901.
- The Musical Ride is composed of a full troop of 32 riders and horses, plus the officer in charge. It consists of the execution of a variety of intricate figures and cavalry drill choreographed to music.
- Members of the Musical Ride are all police officers who volunteer for duty with the Musical Ride.
- The Musical Ride travels to every province rotational basis every four years to ensure that Canadians across the country are given an opportunity to see them perform.
“The hard work and dedication of the communities who hosted us was incredible,” said Sergeant Scott Williamson, Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Musical Ride. “On behalf of the RCMP Musical Ride, I thank you. I would also like to thank everyone who came out to see us this summer. We appreciate the support you have shown the RCMP and we look forward to visiting again in the future.”