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RCMP Musical Ride canters to Sooke for two shows

The RCMP Musical Ride with its riders in scarlet coats and 32 jet-black Canadian-bred horses are putting on two shows this weekend in Sooke.
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The RCMP Musical Ride, performing in Ottawa. They'll be in Sooke this weekend, Aug. 18 and 19, 2018.

The RCMP Musical Ride with its riders in scarlet coats and 32 jet-black Canadian-bred horses are putting on two shows this weekend in Sooke.

It is always a spectacle to watch one of Canada’s most famous symbols carry out calvary drills and to hear the pounding of the horses’ hooves.

“We are so excited to have such quality entertainment,” said Steve Wright of the Sooke Lions Club, sponsors of the event, which includes performances by the National Band of the Naval Reserve.

“It’s a national treasure.”

Wright, co-chair of the organizing group, has been relying on past experience of bringing the Musical Ride to the Saanich Fair Grounds. “We kept notes from five years ago.”

That event raised more than $100,000 for children’s charities.

This time, the Musical Ride is raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, which supports pediatric cancer research and programs. Wright, a former RCMP officer serving in the West Shore, has been a Tour de Rock rider.

The Sooke shows, with pre-show entertainment, will be held at Fred Milne Park, 2249 Sooke River Rd.

On Saturday, gates open at noon and the event starts at 2 p.m. On Sunday, the gates open at 4 p.m. and events begin at 6 p.m.

Each event begins with music. The National Band of the Naval Reserve, which is travelling across the country, will perform. Naval reservists in their dress whites will be marching and playing their instruments.

On Sunday, the Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band will perform as well.

There will not be time before the show to meet the horses, which are stabled at another location. But riders and horses will be in the park’s field after each show to meet the public and pose for photos, Wright said.

Tickets are $5 each.

They are being sold at Sooke Shoppers Drug Mart, 6660 Sooke Rd.; Sooke Pharmasave, 6716 Sooke Rd.; Sooke RCMP Detachment, 2076 Church Rd.; Esquimalt Dry Cleaners, 1153 Esquimalt Rd.; and in Langford at Willow Wind Feed, 2714 Sooke Rd.

Donated bleachers are being set up. Each day has room for 2,200 people and there will be seating for everyone. People are asked not to bring lawn chairs.

An RCMP merchandise tent and food concessions will be on hand.

Wright said that the Sooke Lions Club is being supported with money and materials and volunteers from other Lions and Lioness clubs, other service organizations, Naden at CFB Esquimalt and municipalities. Each day, 30 to 40 volunteers will be on hand to make the event run smoothly.

“We’ve got lots of support in the community to help put this on, which is just wonderful.”

The Musical Ride is also performing elsewhere on Vancouver Island this month after the Sooke event. It will be in Nanoose, Courtenay and Duncan.

For the Musical Ride’s schedule, go online to rcmp-grc.gc.ca/even/en/t/2/e