Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 28 for “An Afternoon of Pipes, Fiddles, Jigs and Reels” featuring the RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers with special musical guests The Oakfield Players and the Celtic band Shabraque. This lively event starts at 2:30 in the Mason Auditorium at Perth and District Collegiate Institute, and is presented by generous local sponsors Oakfield Park, Coutts Coffee Roastery & Café, Riverwood Pizza Company and the Perth Academy of Building Arts & Science, along with support from media partner myFM Perth 88.1.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pipes, Drums and Dancers of the National Capital Region was formed in the year 2000 and is one of eight RCMP pipe bands across Canada. Wearing the distinctive RCMP tartan and the world-renowned red serge, the band is comprised primarily of citizen volunteers but also includes police officers and employees of the force. They are led by Pipe Major Iain Tait, who was been decorated by both the Governor General and the RCMP Commissioner for his service.
The band performs regularly for the public in support of both regional and community endeavours as well as for RCMP ceremonial events. As part of its official duties, they have performed for many heads-of-state including King Charles III and other members of the Royal Family. The band has toured extensively, representing both Canada and the RCMP while performing at international events across North America as well as in Europe and China. Most recently, the RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers toured The Netherlands for the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation from Nazi-occupation, playing to sold-out crowds at concert halls as well as leading Canadian representation at parades and local events attracting hundreds of thousands of Dutch citizens. The band has also accepted an invitation to perform at the Eksjo Tattoo in Sweden in July of 2026. Find more information at rcmppipesanddrums.com.
Shabraque is a Celtic stage band that grew out of the RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers several years ago. This 19th century term was given to the saddlecloth used by the British Army’s famous Household Cavalry and carried over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The RCMP horses traditionally feature a black shabraque with yellow trim. Comprised of string instruments and soloists, Shabraque performs high-energy toe-tapping jigs and reels originating from Scotland, Ireland and the east coast of Canada. Most of the musicians are also members of the pipe band. Audiences are encouraged to sing along for an intimate kitchen-party experience featuring familiar timeless folk songs. Check out their Facebook page for more details.
The Oakfield Players are a group of talented local artists who perform kitchen-party style during “Traditional Sundays” throughout the winter at Oakfield Park. Fiddles, harps and guitars are just a few of the musical instruments that are enjoyed in the clubhouse by those who drop by to tap their toes to the jigs and reels while sitting by the roaring stone fireplace, perhaps savouring a pint, glass of wine or a wee dram.
Oakfield Park is located on County Road 10 (North Street) 9 kilometres east of Perth. It was built on a simple belief: that when people gather with intention, they create ripples of impact that can last for generations. Oakfield Park was born in 2018 to create a home for rugby in Lanark County as well as a community meeting place where friendships could form, conversations could flow, and connection could flourish. What began as a field of dreams and a spirit of volunteerism has grown into something far bigger. Today, Oakfield Park is a dynamic destination for corporate retreats, weddings, field rentals, community celebrations, and of course, the sport that started it all.
In addition to The Oakfield Players on winter afternoons, the clubhouse hosts monthly concerts in an intimate setting by professional musicians from the Perth-area, Canada, the U.S. and across the pond. For more information on Oakfield Park and upcoming performances, check out oakfieldpark.ca.
Tickets for the March 28 concert at PDCI are available from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485-6434). For concert information, inquire at concert@rcmppipesanddrums.com.
