An age-old tradition is returning to Cochrane for the first time in five years.
The Cochrane Posse is hosting the RCMP Musical Ride on July 18 at the Ag Society grounds and is on the hunt for community members to pitch in and help pull off two shows set to dazzle crowds.
"We need sponsors. Our budget for the Musical Ride this year is $55,000, so we need to raise (that) above and beyond our ticket sales," said Rob Cameron of the Cochrane Poss, who is also seeking volunteers to help with social media and ticket sales ahead of the event, as well as a small army of willing to help out at the Ag Society grounds located at the northwest corner of the intersection at highways 1A/22.
The Posse is fundraising for four local groups – Cochrane and Area Victim Services, the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation, Cochrane Search and Rescue and the Cochrane Roping Club.
"One hundred per cent of the money we make goes to these groups – the Cochrane Posse doesn't take one cent."
Although the group of award-winning western-clad volunteers could once be seen enacting historical western figures at signature Cochrane events such as the Labour Day Parade and the Outhouse Races either atop horses or toting guns on foot, they no longer perform live and have switched their focus to organizing the Musical Ride.
It's every four years that the Musical Ride comes to Alberta, this year bringing 32 Hanoverian horses to perform two shows at 1:30 and 7 p.m. The equestrian performance, steeped in tradition since 1873, will exemplify control, timing and precision for audiences in a choreographed sea of uniformed Mounties dressed in red atop their jet black steed.
"What do we have left for traditions? ... I think it's good people see it. It's for the kids, for adults" said Cameron, of the "Canadian icon" event.
One of the Cochrane Posse founders, Cameron served 25 years in the RCMP and "loved every one" of his 18 transfers in his time with the RCMP. Retiring some 10 years ago due to injury, he now owns and operates local security company Ten-8 Security.
Cameron has taken the reins on hosting the event since first bringing it to Cochrane in 2003. This will be the fourth time the ride has come to Cochrane.
The event does not operate with any grant dollars and is completely reliant on the contributions to volunteers, sponsors and ticket sales.
Tickets cost $25 for reserve seating, $20 for general admission and $15 for youth ages 5-12 years or seniors 65 and over. Tickets are available by paying with cash at Pet Life, Tony's Western Wear or Aaron E. King Goldsmith or online through Event Brite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rcmp-musical-ride-cochrane-tickets-55735557553.
To learn more about the various sponsorship opportunities, beginning at $300 all the way to $10,000 for a title sponsor, visit cochraneposse.ca or email them at [email protected].
