It may be costing $600,000 to stage but the Bermuda Tattoo is likely be a once in a lifetime experience for many of those who attend and is likely to rival any spectacle of its kind in the world.

That's the view of Acting Premier Randoph Horton as he spoke about the upcoming event and mentioned that some of his earliest memories were of the Island's first military tattoos in 1956 and 1957.

For those who are still undecided about buying a ticket - of which only a few remain - or are unable to make it the spectacle at Dockyard, there is a special treat being laid on for Bermudians this evening with a Beating of the Retreat along Front Street featuring some of the bands taking part in the main Tattoo.

Since the two Tattoos in the mid-1950s there have been only two more in 1994 and 1995 - but as part of the celebrations for the Island's quincentennial celebrations and the 40th anniversary of The Regiment the pomp and circumstances will be brought to life with visiting bands from Canada, Jamaica and the UK alongside Bermuda's own talent.

Some 4,800 people are expected to attended the Tattoo and only a few tickets are still available.

Mr. Horton, who also Minister for Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, was fortunate to attend the world famous Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland in 2003 when 68 members of The Regiment were involved and he hopes Bermudians will come and see the Island's own version.

"I have memories as a boy of Bermuda's first Tattoo and of the Edinburgh Tattoo and, having experienced them, I am very excited at the opportunity this Tattoo will give to Bermuda. We would encourage those people who don't yet have tickets to get them," he said.

The event is being funded 55 percent by private and corporate sponsors, 40 percent from ticket sales and the final five percent from the Government.

"The Keep Yard of the Maritime Museum will provide the dramatic backdrop for two evenings of military pomp, pageantry, precision marching and formations - an experience that is sure to exceed expectations, surpass previous boundaries of excellence and offer aural and visual delights hitherto unknown in our Island," said Mr. Horton.

The sound of bag pipes, bass drums, brass instruments and booming cannons are promised at the Royal Navy Dockyard, with bands taking part including the Jamaica Defence Force, Amalgamated Metropolitan Toronto, Ottawa Police Pipes and Drums, the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums, the National Gombey Troupe, Somers Isle Pipe Band, Somerset Brigade Band and Canada's Schiehallion dancers and the Band and Bugles of the Light Division.

Tickets range from $40 to $75 but none will be available at the gates either on Friday or Saturday. The few remaining tickets can be bought from Warwick Camp and the Maritime Museum or via the website www.boxoffice.bm

The Beating of the Retreat this evening on Front Street at 9.00 p.m. will feature a number of the bands including the Band and Bugles of the Light Division and the all-women Fraser Holmes Pipe Band from Canada