NORFOLK, Va. — A beloved local cultural tradition is returning to Hampton Roads for its 26th year.
The Virginia Arts Festival's "Virginia International Tattoo" will take place once again this April in Norfolk.
The show will feature the largest international cast ever, with performers from nine countries, including Ukraine.
This year's theme is "A Tribute to Military Families."
Tattoo organizers pride themselves on the show being a patriotic event, and they say saluting military families was "a natural fit."
"I think the Army says it best, that, a solider is the backbone of the Army, but the family is the backbone of the soldier," said Scott Jackson, Tattoo Producer-Director.
Jackson added, "I think everybody who serves, nobody serves alone. They serve with their support group. I think families are integral. They aren't the icing on the cake. They are the cake."
Virginia International Tattoo 2023 Participating Nations:
AUSTRALIA
-Scotch College Perth Pipe Band
CANADA
-2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Pipes and Drums - PENDING
FRANCE
-Bagad de Lann-Bihoué - PENDING
LATVIA
-Central Military Band of the Latvian National Armed Forces
NEW ZEALAND
-The Highland Dance Company of New Zealand
SINGAPORE
-Singapore Armed Forces Central Band and Cultural Dance Team
UKRAINE
-The Crazy Drummers
UNITED KINGDOM
-Royal Air Force Pipes and Drums
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
-Andy’s Tartan Army
-Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
-Granby High School Naval JROTC
-Hampton Roads Police Color Guards
-Norfolk Fire-Rescue Honor Guard
-Old Dominion University Concert Choir
-Tidewater Pipes and Drums
-U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Herald Trumpets
-U.S. Marine Corps Band, Quantico
-U.S. Marine Corps FAST Company
-U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon
-U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band
-Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus
The Virginia International Tattoo has four public performances scheduled.
They will take place at Norfolk Scope Arena from April 20 through 23.
Tickets are available and on sale now at www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office located at 440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510.