TOURISM operators and associations, festival organisers and businesses are invited to make their event dreams come true through Rural City of Wangaratta's Tourism Event Grants Program.

Councillor Harry Bussell said the program aims to support the development and growth of events to bring visitors to the region and promote the municipality as a holiday destination.

"Wangaratta and our surrounding towns play host to an incredible variety of events that bring visitors from across Victoria and interstate," Cr Bussell said.

"We are renowned as a great location for events, with competition level sporting facilities, world class wineries, and spaces with incredible natural backdrops.

"This grant program has provided funding to some pretty amazing events in the past including the Off Grid Living Festival, King Valley Balloon Festival, La Dolce Vita, and the All GM Day Car Show.

"The range of events we host are a credit to our entire community who continue to support them."

Applications are now open with grants of up to $2000 for minor events, and up to $5000 for major and marquee events.

There is $20,000 on offer in this round and funding for event marketing, promotional materials and advertising, strategic or business plans for event development, new innovations or additional activities to expand an event program or costs associated with securing or hosting an event.

To be eligible for funding events must attract key target markets, provide local economic benefit, enhance community culture and local tourism strengths, or grow an existing event to become financially viable and sustainable.

Events supported under this program must take place between July 1 and December 31 and have a strong tourism focus that demonstrates the potential of the region as a destination for tourists.

Application forms and guidelines are available from https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Your–Council/Grants–and–funding/Tourism–Event–Funding

Applications close at 2pm on Friday, April 14.

For further information or to discuss your event, please contact council's economic development unit on 03 5722 0888 or email economicdevelopment@wangaratta.vic.gov.au.