A megastorm on June 23, packing multiple tornado warnings, prompted the cancellation of RCMP Musical Ride

STRASBOURG — In a summer that’s already seen several damaging tornadoes, one small Saskatchewan community has been forced to set its sights on next year instead after plans for a big show were waylaid by threats of a big blow.

The town of Strasbourg, about 85km northwest of Regina, first applied in 2020 to host the RCMP Musical Ride — but due to COVID there wasn’t a ride for two years.

“When they asked me in February if we were interested, I knew that we were doing some major park projects here in town, so we figured that would be an opportunity to try to do a fundraiser to benefit our community,” explained organizer Carol Schultz.

She estimated the event drew more than a thousand attendees on June 23, with approximately 360 vehicles going through the gates. Two hundred twenty-five took part in the roast beef dinner, organizers sold lots of hotdogs and hamburgers, and a lucky winner took home $1,640 in a 50/50 draw.

But the long-planned show didn’t go on.

A megastorm, packing multiple tornado warnings, prompted an impromptu cancellation.

Sgt. Caroline Duval of the RCMP said, “It’s unfortunate — and we were very disappointed — that many people who travelled from around the province to see the show were unable to watch us perform. But the safety of the public, our members and horses is of the utmost importance, which is why, due to the persistent tornado warnings, we had to cancel the performance. We were very happy to hear that everyone got out safely.”

Although the Ride will go rain or shine, when the third wave of the storm approached with lightning, the RCMP decided to cancel due to safety concerns.

Since the Saskatchewan portion of the Musical Ride’s 2022 tour had ended, it wasn’t possible to reschedule for this year, but Duval said they will try to return to the community next time the Ride is in Saskatchewan.

In the end, for Schultz, it is all about the well-being of the people that came out that night.

“We are all safe and that’s all that matters, right.”

As for trying again next year, Schultz says it’s a big undertaking. “Now it’s just whether the committee feels we can round up volunteers to pull this off.”

Strasbourg Community Park group worked on recruiting volunteers. Money raised from the event will go toward tinning the roof at the concession stand at the sports grounds and building permanent structures at the rodeo grounds.

“We also have the revitalization park project that has started with the new splash park,” said Schultz.

She said it was expensive to put on the event, such as renting bleachers, porta-potties, and tents. There is also the $1,500 cost to feed and stable the horses in Moose Jaw. “Once expenses are paid, I don’t know what we are going to have.”

Schultz said the community spirit is tremendous in Strasbourg, and because of that spirit, the town can put on the community events it does.

“It was a big undertaking and used a lot of people. For that I am the most thankful. Because it made a big job possible because people just gave of their time and efforts.”

• Jennifer Argue is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter for the Last Mountain Times

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