One of the most anticipated events in the Highland 2007 calendar is InvernessFest, a two week long celebration of traditional and contemporary culture in Inverness taking place between 15 and 29 July.

InvernessFest will blend the most popular aspects of our traditions and heritage with events that reflect the modern face of the city of Inverness and its cultural diversity.  The main festival programme will be enhanced by a range of Fringe events in venues throughout the city.

InvernessFest Fringe will be a celebration by, and about, the many different cultures and cultural groups active in the city - Gaelic, Scottish, Polish, Chinese, Urdu, and many others.

To ensure the widest possible participation, a number of small grants are available to individuals and groups to organise and stage events that reflect this theme.  Any individual or organisation can apply for funding.  Grants of between £300 and £2500 are available for an event.

InvernessFest Fringe may include a mixture of community projects and productions, activities and workshops, music and arts in the streets, visual arts, photography and other exhibitions, comedy, dance – traditional and contemporary, storytelling and much more that is unusual, provocative, engaging and fun!

Anyone interested should contact Adrian Clark, The Highland Council’s Arts Development Officer for Inverness on 01463 724261 to discuss their event before completing an application form.  Application forms and guidelines are available from the Highland 2007 website www.highland2007.com/invernessfest.html

Application forms should be completed and returned to Highland 2007 by no later than 12 noon on Friday 30 March.  Successful applicants will be notified in the week commencing 30 April.

InvernessFest will include:

• 15 July – Sir Elton John and his Band in concert at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
• 14 - 21 July - CITYJAM Music Festival
• 20 -  29 July – InvernessFest Club in Falcon Square
• 21 and 22 July – Tulloch Inverness Highland Games featuring the World Highland Games Championships at Bught Park
• 25 to 28 July – RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo at Fort George
• 27 July – ‘Salm and Soul’ in Inverness Cathedral
• 28 July – European Pipe Band Championships at Bught Park
• 28 July - Summer in the City Youth Festival