POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE

Tom Skinner of Vernon, B.C., takes us inside the Okanagan Military Tattoo, an exhilarating showcase of military bands, choirs and skills

This year marks the seventh annual Okanagan Military Tattoo. It will be held in Vernon, B.C., at Kal Tire Place, with two performances scheduled, one on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m., the other on Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m.

If you’ve ever been to the Royal Edin burgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, you’ve probably come away with a good understanding of what a tattoo is like. In Canada, if you live on the East Coast, you may have been fortunate enough to have attended the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax. For those who have never experienced one, here is a brief history.

The history of the word tattoo can be traced back to the 17th century. It’s a Dutch phrase doe den tap toe, which means turn off the tap. A signal from a drummer or trumpeter marching through town would instruct innkeepers near military garrisons to stop serving beer, and remind soldiers it was time to return to their barracks. It became a ceremonial tradition.

The Edinburgh Tattoo has been held since 1945 and has also travelled to Australia and New Zealand. The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo began in 1979. It can trace its roots to the 1967 Canadian Armed Forces Tattoo, which toured Canada as part of the centennial celebrations. The Okanagan Military Tattoo (OMT) is young as far as tattoos go, with the first indoor event being held in 2014.