Tradition, honor and pride are all hallmarks of the RCMP Musical Ride, coming to the Simcoe fairgrounds.
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“It is quite special and everyone is quite excited, so I am looking forward to seeing it,” said Angela Hogeveen, General Manager/Treasurer of the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show.
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Two shows will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 12; at 2:30 pm matinee and 6:30 pm evening performance.
The musical ride consists of up to 32 red-uniformed Mounties riding black horses demonstrating their equestrian skills – ‘demanding the utmost control, timing and coordination in a variety of formations and cavalry drills’ set to choreographed music.
Thousands of Norfolk area residents will recall the musical ride performing locally three times in the past 40 years, the most recent in 2016. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada.
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The RCMP’s stable will be open all day on Sept. 12, 9 am to 9 pm, and the public is encouraged to visit before or after shows, however there will be certain times when horses are being exercised, groomed, and warmed up. People can ask the riders questions and they will introduce their horses.
“Depending on the rider (and with permission), they may let you pet the horses at times, and show kids how they brush the mane and prepare the horses. So it’s really interactive, and I’m told they love having the people in there,” said Hogeveen.
There will also be RCMP displays and food trucks on site. The Paris Port Dover Pipe Band will provide pre-show entertainment for both matinee and evening shows.
Tickets are $15 for the 2:30 pm show and $20 for the 6:30 pm show. Shows are each 30-35 minutes and pricing is for all ages. Tickets can be purchased online in advance at norfolkcountyfair.com/rcmp-musical-ride/ or at the gate on Sept. 12.
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“Our matinee has sold significantly more than our evening show,” said Hogeveen, noting the grandstand seats about 2,500 people. “Now our evening is starting to pick up in sales.”
The 80 accessible seating spaces have sold out for the matinee show, but some are still available for the evening show (call 519-426-7280 ext 227).
The 183rd Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show is Oct. 3-9, but it is only one of many events hosted by the Norfolk County Agricultural Society at the 48-acre fairgrounds. There was a pop-up skating party in March, a fairground music festival in June, and more.
As the not-for-profit organization “grows into the future,” Hogeveen said the fair board wants to diversify its revenue sources.
“We have this beautiful facility, we maintain it year round, and we have a mandate from our board to make better use of it.”
That means offering year-round activities, bringing even more people to the fairgrounds, raising awareness, and generating revenue that goes back into the ag society, including building repairs.
“It’s very important and vital to our survival,” said Hogeveen.
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