Vernon's Largest Indoor Event Leaving

The Okanagan Military Tattoo, described as Vernon's largest annual indoor event, has ended its 11-year run at Kal Tire Place in Vernon.

February 20 2026 - Following what its founder says was 20 months of exploring alternative options, it was announced the Okanagan Military Tattoo is leaving Vernon and relocating in Vancouver due to rising operational costs and financial challenges that made continuation in Vernon unsustainable.

Vernon's Largest Indoor Event Leaving

The primarily reason given, increased venue rental fees and insufficient ticket sales to cover expenses.

The event will continue under a new name as the British Columbia Tattoo in partnership with the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE).

The Military Tattoo was created specifically for Vernon and the Okanagan region, with its inaugural performance held in August 2014 after an 18-month planning period.

Norm Crerar, the founder, producer, and president of the Okanagan Military Tattoo Society, led the initiative, drawing on Vernon's military heritage, including Canada's oldest cadet centre (established in 1912) and Department of National Defence facilities that have supported cadet and troop training for over a century.

The Tattoo was held exclusively at Kal Tire Place in Vernon throughout its history (with pauses in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID), establishing itself as Western Canada's only military tattoo and featuring two days of performances by military bands, pipes and drums, dancers, choirs, and precision drill teams.

Norm Crerar has publically stated that venue rental fees at Kal Tire Place reached $35,000 for a five-day period (including setup and performances), having increased by more than $10,000 in recent years, with an additional 5% added around 2024.

He has described these rising costs, combined with post-COVID increases in accommodations and food, as well as ticket sales that did not sufficiently recover, as making the event unaffordable in Vernon.

According to its founder the Tattoo provided significant economic benefits to Vernon.

Norm Crerar has stated that the tattoo generated approximately $2.5 million in annual economic activity in the area, largely through spending by visitors and performers on hotels, restaurants, and other local services.

Attendance typically ranged from 3,000 to 4,000 spectators per weekend, with around 500 performers (many traveling in and staying locally).

The event's stated mission included attracting tourism to Vernon and the North Okanagan by bringing in participants and audiences who supported local businesses and explored the area.

Rising user fees at Vernon city facilities, including Kal Tire Place, have been a broader concern raised by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, which noted that such increases have made it difficult for major events and non-profits to operate, with the Tattoo cited as an example of lost economic and tourism impact.

While the City of Vernon reportedly provided some fee relief in earlier years (such as waivers or in-kind support valued at around $10,000 for the 2024 event), these measures did not offset the overall upward trend.

The event will now take place as the British Columbia Tattoo at the PNE in Vancouver over two days on the fair's opening weekend.

Vernon's Largest Indoor Event Leaving