Much like the agricultural sporting community, Gloucester AH&P Association held out high hopes to hold Gloucester Show in 2021, but due to the recent COVID uprising, the tough call has been made to completely cancel.
Despite COVID-19 forcing the cancellation of the 2020 show, it was heavy rain that saw it merely postponed in March this year. The committee was determined to push on with a show for 2021 and rescheduled for October 29 and 30.
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With the resurgence of COVID gripping parts of NSW, the committee was forced back into discussions about the pending event.
They waited patiently to see the fate of other shows in the North Coast region, but after Taree and Kempsey pulled the plug, the committee had to make a call.
"After much deliberation, Gloucester AH&P Association has made the difficult decision to cancel," president Greg Channon said.
"Association members and the community in general were looking forward to the rescheduled spring show, but COVID has struck again."
After much deliberation, Gloucester AH&P Association has made the difficult decision to cancel.
- Greg Channon
The committee had to weigh up the risks of opening Gloucester up to an influx of visitors from outside of the region - many from areas with high numbers of COVID cases.
"The risks to the community of bringing sideshows, entertainment and trade displays from the Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Central Coast areas as well as from interstate are too great," Greg said.
The Gloucester Show is a big event in the community calendar, bringing together a range of producers to show, compete and socialise with one another.
"We greatly appreciate and acknowledge the continued support from our sponsors, stewards, exhibitors, competitors, officials, entertainment providers, patrons and in particular our dedicated volunteers," Greg said.
"A great deal of time and effort is necessary to stage a show, along with the financial commitment required beforehand."
The association is already working toward getting the show back up for 2022.
"We will plan and prepare for an event on April 1 and 2, 2022 with the community's support moving forward," Greg said.