Okanagan Military Tattoo Saturday and Sunday at Vernon's Kal Tire Place

One of the grandest spectacles in the Okanagan is back.

The Okanagan Military Tattoo was last held in 2019, before COVID concerns put it on hold for two years – but it's back for 2022 this weekend.

Crews are busy at Vernon's Kal Tire Place this week, setting up the castle facade and lighting for the tattoo, which takes place Saturday and Sunday.

Tattoo organizer Norm Crerar says there will be a full dress rehearsal Saturday afternoon, followed by a performance Saturday evening and a matinee on Sunday.

The show features numerous acts, including the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, a portion of which will perform for 15 minutes during Street Sounds on the 2900 Plaza this evening, starting at 5:40 p.m.

The Langley Ukulele Ensemble will also bring their unique sound to the event for the first time.

“This started 30 years ago with the father ... and now the son has taken over the ensemble,” says Crerar. “These are high school kids from Langley, and they are absolutely superb musicians. We have City Dance Studio to come in here and dance with them on a special set.”

Other acts include:

• Kamloops Pipe Band
• Kelowna Pipe Band
• Okanagan Military Tattoo Dancers
• Okanagan Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums
• Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders
• Shuswap Pipes and Drums
• Vernon Cadet Band

Tickets are available through Ticker Seller, the Okanagan Military Tattoo website or by calling the box office at 250-549-7469.

Special deals are available for youths, and Second World War and/or Korean War veterans are free, including a caregiver/companion.

A musical tattoo is a demonstration of military drumming, piping and skills. It's known as a 'tattoo' from when the British Army was fighting in Belgium 300 years ago, soldiers were called in from the pubs each night for curfew, or Doe den tap toe, Dutch for 'Turn off the taps, too.'