Canada’s iconic RCMP Musical Ride made a stop at the Shawville fairgrounds on Sunday afternoon, entertaining thousands with a half-hour performance that saw 32 RCMP officers lead their well-trained equestrian partners through a series of coordinated prances.

The event was hosted by the Pontiac Agricultural Society (PAS), which organized a whole day of entertainment for all ages to bring the community together in the hours ahead of the Musical Ride’s 2 p.m. performance.

“We had the Musical Ride on three occasions over the last number of years and each and every time they’ve come here, the interest and community support has been fantastic,” said Mavis Hanna, PAS general manager.

“I think the Musical Ride really represents Canada. It’s those red jackets and the majestic horses and the whole patriotic mood that it puts everyone in, I think it’s a great draw,” she said.

This year, PAS invited attendees to wear Canadian red, to make a patriotic statement and offer attendees “a sense of community, of pride, and belonging to a country that’s one of the greatest countries in the world,” she said.

Other activities planned for the day included square dancing performances from the Shawville 4-H club, music from the Hooley musicians, and an old car show.

During the Musical Ride, longtime fairboard volunteer Elwyn Lang was recognized with the RCMP salute, a special honour the hosts of each ride can award to a community member of their choosing.

“Elwyn is an honourary director on our board, and that’s the highest level of recognition the Pontiac Agricultural Society can give any volunteer,” Hanna said.

“He’s been involved a lifetime, he’s a past-president, he’s a director, and he’s a longtime exhibitor and volunteer. The board felt he was well deserving of taking this salute on behalf of the Pontiac Agricultural Society.”

“I was pleased to be honoured to take their salute,” Lang said, who’s been volunteering with the board for nearly 50 years.

Hanna noted that previously, the salute was given to the late George Coles, who was also an honourary director and past-president.

Shawville resident Pat Smart holds up his granddaughter Anya Griffin to meet one of the Musical Ride’s large Hanoverian horses after the show. Photo: Sophie Kuijper Dickson

An RCMP officer trots by on her horse, of the traditional Hanoverian breed, during the 30-minute Musical Ride performance. Photo: Sophie Kuijper Dickson

Young Clove and Bud square dancers from the Shawville 4-H club were one of the three teams who performed at the Community Day in Shawville. From left are Reid Thompson, Eleanor Laframboise, Rebecca Stephens, and Beth McCann, and swinging in front are Presley Thomson and Abigail Laporte. Photo: Sophie Kuijper Dickson

Braylie Bullis calls the first square dance in the Shawville 4-H Club’s performance on Sunday. Photo: Sophie Kuijper Dickson

Shawville 4-H club members, from left Leeland Souliere, Patrick Kelly, Riley Drummond, Brynn Curie, Keira Drummond, and Reese Rusenstrom take the first shift working at the club’s canteen during the Community Day event at the fairgrounds on Sunday. Photo: Sophie Kuijper Dickson

Two RCMP officers stand at the top of the make-shift arena to mark its middle as the riders perform intricate formations and drills set to music. Photo: Sophie Kuijper Dickson

The crowd applauds after Pontiac’s own Bailey Beardsley finishes singing Canada’s National Anthem, towards the end of the Musical Ride. Photo: Sophie Kuijper Dickson

RCMP officers trot in a tight line formation during the Musical Ride. Photo: Sophie Kuijper Dickson

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