Funding could spark new fire and light fest
A cultural and heritage showcase
This cultural event would be of great benefit to Crieff town centre Councillor Angus Forbes
A brand- new light and fire festival could be staged in the Strath capital next year.
Plans are in place to stage Crieff Fire and Light Festival in March 2020, which features a trail around the town.
The event would see visitors following a route around the town centre, lined by theatrical performances, animation, audience interactions, fire performers and audio-visual projections onto various buildings.
It is being organised by Crieff Succeeds BID, which says the production would include elements of drama drawing inspiration from the area’s rich heritage, such as its Jacobite connections and the torching of Crieff in the early 18th century.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s env i ronment and infrastructure committee were expected to discuss the project as the Herald went to press on Wednesday this week.
They had been asked to approve £ 24,900- worth of funding from the local authority’s rural events budget for the festival.
Councillor Angus Forbes is convener of environment and infrastructure at the council.
He said: “I am very pleased to see Crieff Succeeds Ltd return with a proposal for this event.
“This cultural event would be of great benefit to Crieff town centre, giving locals and visitors alike a great chance to spend the day exploring the local area, and then experience the fire and light festival at night in the town.
“It is my hope that if the event takes place in 2020 it will become a successful re-occurring cultural event in Crieff.”
Should the money be granted, it is expected the festival will take place during the week beginning March 2.
David McCann, manager of Crieff Succeeds, said: “The fire and light festival would be a wonderful opportunity to showcase Crieff ’s cultural and heritage assets but also to both highlight and celebrate the town’s fascinating history.
“I am grateful to Perth and Kinross Council for giving consideration to the event and hope that next year we will be shining a ‘very bright light’ on the beautiful and historic town of Crieff which will be seen by folk from all over the nation.”
This comes after Crieff Succeeds had previously planned to stage a winter festival last year in Drummond Castle Gardens.
That particularly event was due to be history-themed and draw on Crieff’s Jacobite heritage as well but did not come to fruition.