Celebration of youth culture at Diverse CiTay festival in Perth.

Diverse CiTay festival lines up music, theatre and workshops for young people

A massive carnival-style celebration will hit the streets of Perth today.

The highly anticipated Diverse CiTay extravaganza features a day of live music, theatre, workshops and shopping. The event is part of the Scottish Government’s Year of Young People.

The fun kicks off with a colourful procession which leaves the South Inch car park at 12.30pm.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney was given a sneak peek at one of the eye-catching floats yesterday.

He said: “It is fantastic to see the talents, skills and ideas of Perth’s young people brought to life through the Diverse CiTay festival.

“I am delighted to see that Perth has created such a creative and bold event which empowers young people, shares their stories and puts the spotlight firmly on the significant contributions they are making to communities across Scotland.”

The parade will lead to the

It is fantastic to see the talents, skills and ideas of Perth’s young people brought to life through the Diverse CiTay festival. JOHN SWINNEY, DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

main carnival arena in North Inch.

A range of sports and activities have been lined up at the park, including bubble football, a climbing wall and an inflatable assault course.

A stage has been erected on the North Inch for an afternoon of music hosted by disco giants Ministry of Sound. Acts confirmed include YouTube favourite Jack Maynard, Dundee band Be Charlotte and Eliza and the Beats.

There will also be a performance by the House and Garage Orchestra, a London-based act which plays traditionally electronic music using live instruments.

The city centre will host a young market and more entertainment on Mill Street from 5pm.

There will be a range of stalls selling, among other things, handmade chocolates, leather goods and clothing.

The market was designed to encourage entrepreneurial youngsters and fledgling traders.

There will be a youth takeover day at Perth Theatre featuring workshops on rap music and record scratching.

Organisers have lined up orchestra performances and an under-18s silent disco in the theatre’s new Joan Knight Studio.

At Perth Museum and Art Gallery, pupils from Perth Academy will commemorate the fallen of the First World War with a special digital artwork.

Free shuttle buses will be available to bring youngsters into Perth from all corners of the region.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. From left, front: Sarah Matthew and Sofia Olearoua of Perth College UHI, Councillor Kathleen Baird, John Swinney MSP, Robert McCall, co-chairman of Diverse CiTay, Veronica Lynch, Prince Honeysett and Lorenz Cairns of Perth College UHI, and, back, Perth High School pupils with Tracey Reilly of Mindspace, far left, and Heather McLaren, Perth High teacher and YPI coordinator, far right.