Another agricultural event has fallen victim to the pandemic, with the Elmore & District Machinery Field Days Committee announcing the 2021 Elmore Field Days, which was due to take place in October, will be cancelled this year.
"Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions and conditions currently required to run events the committee feel this decision is in the best interest of public health and safety for all exhibitors, volunteers and attendees," the committee said in a statement.
The Elmore Field Days attracts exhibitors and public from all over Australia and overseas, but it would not be guaranteed that the usual exhibitors would be able to attend due to the current interstate and international border restrictions.
The committee said it left the decision to cancel the event as late as possible with the hope that the COVID-19 situation might have eased, but due to the government restrictions, uncertainty around running events and the current outbreaks the decision was clear.
President Scott Nichol said while the committee was disappointed to have to make the decision, the main concern and deciding factor was the public safety of the community, volunteers, exhibitors and attendees.
The Elmore Field Days has been running annually since 1964 and this year would have marked the 58th event.
Previously the event has only ever cancelled one day of the field days in 1975 due to flooding, and last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We hope that everyone continues to stay safe and well," Mr Nichol said.
"We plan to be back bigger and better on 4th, 5th & 6th October 2022."
The committee thanked everyone involved in the field days for being supportive and understanding.