Organisers who were forced to rename their popular piping festival to avoid a legal battle are appealing for support to ensure its continued success.
The European Pipe Band Championships was being re-branded Piping At Forres for the 2015 competition in Grant Park, Forres, after a recent ruling prevented them from registering Piping Hot Forres as a trademark.
Now organisers Forres Events are looking for sponsors to keep the contest, being held on June 27, as heated as ever.
David Urquhart, the group’s marketing and sponsorship director, said: “This is a hugely successful event but to make it a success we require the support of sponsors and stallholders, which allow us to attract people and to continue to invest in new attractions.
“Whilst we have some of the best in piping, not everyone is a pipe band enthusiast so we need lots of other attractions to draw in the crowds and make it a great family day out.”
Applications are now open for trade stands and sponsors, but this year six charities will be given a free space.
From every charity that registers, organisers will pick six who can have a free stall.
About 120 pipe bands are expected to descend on Forres for the event, in front of a crowd of 18,000 fans.
In December last year, Forres Events voluntarily opted to re-brand their event after an objection was raised by the owner of a trademark which includes the words “piping” and “hot”.
The individual is not involved in bagpipes or piping, so Forres Events sought legal advice.
And although the piping organisation was told it would be hard to see how the objector’s trademark could be confused with either Forres or piping, they decided to change the title to avoid any potentially costly legal action.
Full details of how to apply for a stall are on www.pipingatforres.com and applications should be received by March 31.
Tickets for the competition go on sale in April.