The RCMP Musical ride comes to Princeton this weekend with shows Saturday and Sunday.

Just to whet your appetite for the event, here are some little-known facts about this iconic Canadian tradition:

• The Musical Ride originated from the North West Mounted Police in 1874. Officers performed drills to music as an-off duty amusement.

• The first official ride was held in 1887 in Regina.

• The Musical Ride was featured on the Canadian fifty-dollar bill of the Scenes of Canada banknote series produced from 1969 to 1979.

• The Honorary Commissioner of the RCMP Musical Ride is her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

• The RCMP breeds its own horses, at Remount Detachment near Pakenham, Ontario. They are 16 to 17 hands high and weigh between 523 and 635 kg.

• Since 1938 the musical ride has used only black horses, when it was decided they contrasted pleasingly with the red tunics.

• Young horses, called remounts, begin their training at three years of age. When they turn six, they start Musical Ride training and take their first trip.

• The maple leaf pattern adorning the horses’ rumps is created by using a metal stencil and brushing across the lie of the hair with a damp brush.

• Members of the ride are full-time police officers. A tour of duty with the Musical Ride is three years.

Following is the weekend’s program

August 10, Friday 6:30 p.m.

Welcoming dinner for riders at Legion Hall 6:30. Come out and meet the riders. Full dinner for just $10 and only 80 tickets available – get yours at the Legion.

Stay after dinner to enjoy karaoke in the lounge.

August 11, Saturday

Fairgrounds open 3 – 8 p.m. * Local vendors and concession

5:30 – performance by the RCMP K9 team and music by Princeton Community Band

6:30 – RCMP Musical Ride.

8 p.m. – Free adult dance at the Legion and everyone is invited. Entertainment by Terri Bremner. Free local taxi ride home.

Sunday August 12th

Fairgrounds open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. * Local vendors and concession

9 a.m – Pancake Breakfast

10 a.m. – performance by the RCMP K9 team and music by Princeton Community Band

11 a.m. – RCMP Musical Ride

Meet the horses! (And the riders).

You are invited to visit the stables throughout the weekend. After Saturday at 9 a.m. use the east gate and follow the signs.

Tickets for the events are on sale at the Legion Lounge every afternoon and at the Princeton Visitors Center across the street.

6 to 11 years – $5

12 and over – $10

Family pass – 2 adults and 2 children $ 25

To report a typo, email:publisher@similkameenspotlight.com.

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