A benefit in the memory of Ian Alberta, a Cornell student who died tragically in an Ithaca house fire in May, will be held Sunday, July 16, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Taughannock Falls State Park on Route 89 in Trumansburg, N.Y. "Youthfest for Ian" will celebrate the life of Alberta -- an Ithaca High School graduate, Cornellian, musician, artist and mentor.

Proceeds from the benefit will go to the Ian Alberta Fund, which will help support field trips to the Cayuga Nature Center for Ithaca fifth-graders as part of the center's "Kids Discover the Trail!" program. The Cayuga Nature Center, which is co-hosting the youthfest, was one of Alberta's passions.

Some of Tompkins County's top young bands -- Somatic Umbra (Alberta's former band), IY, Seth Feldman and Dirac -- will be performing. More than 20 local businesses have donated prizes for a raffle that will take place at the event.

There is a vehicle entrance fee for Taughannock Falls State Park, so people are encouraged to carpool. Tax deductible donations to the Ian Alberta Scholarship Fund will be accepted gratefully at the event, or a check can be sent to "IPEI - Ian Alberta Fund" in care of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), PO Box 4268, Ithaca, N.Y. 14852-4268. For more information regarding IPEI, see http://www.ipei.org.