It will cost over half a million dollars to stage the upcoming military Tattoo in Dockyard but organisers expect to break even.

Lt. Col. Eddie Lamb of the Bermuda Regiment said the $600,000 price tag for the project includes bringing in and housing participants from the UK, Canada, US and Jamaica.

?We?re not looking to raise all the funds through sponsors,? Col. Lamb said, adding that he?s expecting sell-out audiences on the two nights the event runs. He is anticipating $270,000 will be raised through ticket sales and that a further $30,000 will come from ancillary sales of items at the event. The Tattoo, on October 21 and 22, will take place at the Keepyard in Dockyard. The area seats 2,500 and Col. Lamb was confident there will be no problem selling all tickets. ?There is quite a lot of interest in this,? he said.

He said corporate donations were already at $170,000 with responses from only half of those contacted. ?We have a lot of private sponsors who we have contacted as well,? he said.

Government has contributed $164,000 to the effort.

Interested sponsors received a brief outline of expenses: Participants? airfare ($168,000), stadium and infrastructure ($191,000) and performance, logistical and administration expenses ($260,000).

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor should contact the Bermuda Regiment on 238-1045. Tickets can be purchased online at www.boxoffice.bm