A major show of force is preparing for the stage.
More than 600 musicians, dancers and other performers will descend on Kal Tire Place for the fourth annual Okanagan Military Tattoo Saturday and Sunday.
“The Okanagan Military Tattoo is one of only two annual military tattoos in Canada, the other being the Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo in Halifax,” said Derek Hall, with the organizing society.
“This year’s tattoo will celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, Vernon’s 125th birthday and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle for Vimy Ridge.”
There will be a show Saturday at 7 p.m. and one Sunday at 2 p.m. Each show will run for two hours without an intermission.
Featured performers include the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, the RCMP E Division Pipe Band, the 160-member Calgary Round-Up Band, pipe bands from Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Kamloops and Vernon along with Highland, Irish, Bhangra, Ukrainian and Polynesian dancers.
The 30-member Vernon Community Band will play a selection of wartime tunes and songs prior to the show.
Cadets from the Vernon Cadet Camp and veterans will participate in the annual tribute to the veterans.
In attendance Saturday will be Assistant Commissioner Brenda Butterworth-Carr , commanding officer of the RCMP in B.C.
Special greetings have also come from Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, honourary patron of the Okanagan Military Tattoo.
“With exhilarating performances by pipers, drummers, musicians, military bands, marching troops, dancers and singers, this programme is an inspirational tribute to a hundreds-year old practice, kept alive with great vibrancy by our armed forces, army cadets and cherished veterans,” said Guichon.
“I offer my sincere thanks to the organizers, volunteers and performers, whose dedication to military music and tradition have made this tattoo such a success.”
For more information, go to OkanaganMilitaryTattoo.ca and for tickets, call 250-549-7469.