Tickets are now on sale for a military spectacular to mark Bermuda's 400th anniversary of permanent settlement.

The Bermuda Tattoo 2009 takes place from October 22-24 and will feature more than 400 musicians, dancers and performers from around the world.

In keeping with the Island's anniversary theme of 'Celebrating Bermuda and Her People', the Tattoo will feature military bands from the Azores, Barbados, Canada, the UK and the US, as well as the Band and Corps of Drums of the Bermuda Regiment itself.

Up to 2,300 spectators are expected each night, with the show of just under two hours culminating in a fireworks extravaganza.

The Bermuda Tattoo was officially launched yesterday at the Fairmont Southampton, the official partner hotel for the event.

Major Stephen Caton, event director, said the Tattoo will be advertised on the Bermuda Tourism and Bermuda Regiment websites, but is primarily a celebration for the people of Bermuda.

"It is not aimed primarily as a tourism event, but certainly at the last Tattoo in 2005 we had a lot of overseas interest and we hope over the coming months to generate further interest," he said.

The $1.3 million event will be funded by Government, the Bank of Bermuda Foundation and the Bermuda 2009 Committee.

Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing David Burch said: "Traditionally this event is steeped in pomp, ceremony and pageantry. Bermudians and residents last enjoyed the spectacular Bermuda Tattoo four years ago.

"This year we expect it to be nothing short of an equally stellar event. The performances, replete with artillery guns and fireworks, will be a showcase celebrating the best of Bermuda and our rich history in our 400th year of continuous settlement."

He said: "I anticipate that the tickets for the Tattoo will be in great demand, so I encourage all residents to get a jump start and get them as soon as they become available.

"I can assure and promise that it will be a great show, because we will be building on earlier successes. So I encourage all of Bermuda to support the Regiment on this historic occasion."

The Bermuda Islands Pipe Band and United Dance Productions will join the Regiment Band in entertaining the crowds.

International performers include: the Band of the Scots Guard, and the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guard (UK); the United States Army Drill Team (US); the Governor General's Foot Guards, and the Pipes and Drums of the Cameron Highlanders (Ottawa, Canada); the Fredericton Society of St. Andrews Pipes and Drums (New Brunswick, Canada); the Royal Barbados Police Force Band (Caribbean); and the Military Band of the Azores (Portugal).

The 325 overseas performers will be accommodated at Warwick Camp, with the Fairmont Southampton hosting the more senior members.

Captain Dwight Robinson, artistic director, said: "The participants in the Bermuda Tattoo 2009 were selected not only for their respective musical and artistic excellence, but also because these acts reflect the cultures and nations which shaped the Bermuda community into what it is today."

He described the event as "the largest assembly of military-type marching band talent in Bermuda's 400-year history", and said the objective was to have a participant for each of the 400 years.

Capt. Robinson added: "These groups are the best at what they do in their respective jurisdictions and so we are in for a spectacular event in October."

Paul Leseur of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation said: "We hope all of Bermuda will come out to the Tattoo and we congratulate the Regiment on another job well done.

"We are very honoured and privileged to be a sponsor of this event."

The Bermuda Tattoo takes place in the Bermuda Maritime Museum Keep Yard. Events start at 7.30 p.m. Tickets, priced $40, $60 and $80, are available at www.bdatix.bm. Corporate and private patron packages are also available.

For more information go to www.bermudatattoo.bm or call 238-3880.

Organisers the Bermuda Regiment Charitable Trust are also looking for volunteers, aged 18 and over. Log onto the website for more information.

Proceeds from the Tattoo will help to fund the Trust's educational and youth development programmes.